New Delhi: Principal Secretary P. K. Mishra reiterated the government’s commitment to public health on Sunday, stating that no reported case of Mpox has been reported in India.
Mishra, who presided over a high-level meeting, stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been closely monitoring the country’s Mpox situation.
“A high-level meeting was held to review the status of preparedness for Mpox in the country and related public health measures,” the Health Ministry said in a statement.
It may be noted that the World Health Organization (WHO) declared Mpox a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) last week after the infectious disease spread to about 13 countries in Africa, including countries with no previous exposure.
During the meeting, it was noted that there have been no reported cases of Mpox in the country. According to the current assessment, the risk of a large outbreak with sustained transmission is low.
“The Principal Secretary was informed that Mpox infections are generally self-limiting, lasting between 2-4 weeks. Mpox patients usually recover with supportive medical care and management. Mpox transmission happens through prolonged and close contact with an infected patient. It happens largely through the sexual route, direct contact with body/lesion fluid of the patient, or through the contaminated clothing/linen of an infected person,” the Health Ministry statement read.
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The Principal Secretary also noted that in the current assessment, “the risk of a large outbreak with sustained transmission is low.”
The WHO had earlier stated that globally, 99,176 cases and 208 deaths had been reported from 116 countries due to Mpox since 2022.
The number of cases reported so far this year has exceeded last year’s total, with more than 15,600 cases and 537 deaths.
Since the WHO declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern in 2022, 30 cases have been reported in India. The last case of Mpox was detected in March 2024.
Meanwhile, at the meeting on Sunday, Mishra directed that surveillance be enhanced and effective measures be taken to detect cases promptly. He also directed that the testing laboratory network be geared up for early diagnosis. Presently, 32 labs are equipped for Mpox testing. These proactive measures are aimed at ensuring the safety and well-being of the public.
Mishra also directed that the protocols for prevention and treatment of the disease may be disseminated on a large scale.
He further emphasised the need for an awareness campaign among healthcare providers regarding the signs and symptoms of the disease and the need for timely notification to the surveillance system.
V.K. Paul, Member of NITI Aayog; Apurva Chandra, Secretary of Health and Family Welfare; and Rajiv Bahl, Secretary of Health Research, attended the meeting, demonstrating the collaborative efforts of various entities in addressing the Mpox situation.
Meanwhile, Apurva Chandra, Secretary in the Health Ministry, informed that the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) convened a meeting of experts to assess India’s risks.
He said that health teams at international airports and ports of entry have been sensitised.
Separately, on Sunday morning, the Director General of Health Services (DGHS) conducted a video conference with more than 200 state health authorities.
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–IANS
