India is on high alert as the World Health Organization (WHO) has raised concerns about a surge in Mpox, formerly known as Monkeypox, cases in several parts of the world. While no new cases have been reported in India, the government is taking proactive measures to prevent the spread of the virus.
The Kerala Health Department has issued an alert and deployed surveillance teams at all airports to screen passengers arriving from affected nations. If any symptoms are detected, individuals will be isolated and treated according to the state’s Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for Mpox. The central government has also directed airport, port, and border authorities to remain vigilant, particularly at border points with Bangladesh and Pakistan.
In response to the global health emergency, the Union Health Ministry has held meetings with experts and designated three hospitals – Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, Safdarjung Hospital, and Lady Hardinge Medical College – as nodal centers for isolating, managing, and treating patients with Mpox. Testing facilities are available at 32 ICMR centers.
Serum Institute of India Pvt., the world’s largest vaccine maker, is actively working on developing shots for Mpox. CEO Adar Poonawalla announced that they are “currently working on developing a vaccine” to address the potential risk to millions of people. He expressed hope for positive news within the next year.
The WHO recently classified Mpox as a public health emergency of international concern due to its outbreak in various parts of Africa. While no travel advisories have been issued, the organization has highlighted the severity of the Clade 1b strain, which is linked to the outbreak in the eastern provinces of the DRC. Cases linked to this strain have also been reported in Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda, countries that previously had not reported Mpox cases.
According to the WHO, during the first six months of 2024, 1,854 confirmed cases of Mpox were reported globally, with 36% of those cases occurring in the WHO African Region. The DRC has experienced a significant upsurge in cases, reporting over 15,000 clinically compatible cases and over 500 deaths. While the risk of a large outbreak with sustained transmission is currently assessed as low, the WHO continues to monitor the situation closely.
India has reported around 30 Mpox cases since 2022, with the most recent case occurring in March 2024. However, no new cases have been reported in recent times. The government is taking all necessary precautions to prevent the spread of the virus and ensure the health and safety of its citizens.
