Mpox Alert: Govt Urges Vigilance, WHO Declares Global Emergency

Mpox Alert: The Indian government has issued a directive to international airports and ports to closely monitor incoming passengers from Bangladesh and Pakistan for mpox symptoms. This move comes after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared mpox a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. Although India has reported no current cases of the disease, health officials maintain that the risk of a large-scale outbreak with sustained transmission remains low. The Union Health Ministry has emphasized the need for increased vigilance and early detection measures to prevent any potential spread of the disease.

Top 10 Updates on the Mpox Situation

1. Government Directives: The Union Health Ministry has designated three hospitals in Delhi—Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, Safdarjung, and Lady Hardinge—as nodal centers for mpox isolation and treatment. Other state governments have also been instructed to identify similar hospitals for preparedness.
2. Enhanced Surveillance: State governments are directed to ramp up surveillance efforts at airports and other entry points to detect mpox symptoms in travelers.
3. Testing Laboratories: India currently has 32 laboratories equipped to test for mpox. The Health Ministry is working to ensure these labs are prepared for early diagnosis.
4. High-Level Meeting: PK Mishra, principal secretary to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, chaired a high-level meeting to review India’s preparedness, stressing the importance of awareness campaigns for healthcare providers.
5. Global Emergency:  The WHO has declared mpox a Public Health Emergency of International Concern due to its rapid spread across multiple countries, particularly in Africa.
6. Vaccine Needs: Congo, reporting the highest number of mpox cases globally, requires 3 million vaccine doses. The country is set to receive its first shipment from the United States next week, with Japan also expected to contribute.
7. New Strains Detected:  A new mpox variant has been identified in Sweden, with officials expecting sporadic cases to continue. In Congo, a potentially more transmissible variant has raised concerns among scientists.
8. Mpox in New Countries:  Mpox has been detected for the first time in Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda, with cases linked to the ongoing outbreak in Congo.
9. Impact on Children: In Congo, children have been disproportionately affected by mpox, making up over 70% of cases and 85% of deaths reported.
10. Rising Numbers: The number of mpox infections and deaths has significantly increased in 2024, with over 17,000 cases and 537 deaths reported globally so far.

The Indian government remains vigilant, closely monitoring the situation to ensure the country’s safety and readiness in case of any mpox outbreak.