On Monday, the Union government issued an advisory to all states and union territories (UTs) in response to the global mpox outbreak. The advisory includes instructions for screening and testing suspected mpox cases and establishing isolation units for affected patients in hospitals.
Union Health Secretary Apurva Chandra emphasized that while no new cases of mpox have been reported in India and none of the samples from suspected cases have tested positive, it is crucial to remain vigilant. He urged states and UTs to avoid causing unnecessary panic while taking preventive measures.
The advisory also tasks states and UTs with enhancing public health preparedness, setting up isolation facilities, and ensuring that required logistics and trained personnel are available. Additionally, it calls for increased public awareness about mpox, its transmission, and the importance of timely reporting.
Chandra noted that a suspected mpox case has been identified involving a man who recently traveled from a country with ongoing mpox transmission. His samples have been collected and he is isolated in a designated hospital, with no current cause for concern.
The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the current mpox outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) on August 14. The disease has seen rising cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo and has spread to new East African countries, including Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda.
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