Mpox in India
The Union Health Ministry of India has issued a direction for increased lookout at all international airports and land ports, particularly those bordering Bangladesh and Pakistan, in response to rising fear over the global spread of Mpox (monkeypox). The view of this action is to locate and separate any arriving foreign travelers displaying signs of this viral disease. The Orthopoxvirus genus monkeypox virus causes this virus. According to Press Trust of India, the ministry’s preventive measures are a part of a larger plan to stop the virus from entering and spreading throughout the nation.
Although there aren’t any verified cases of Mpox or monkeypox in India at the moment, the government is taking precautions in case an outbreak occurs. According to the sources cited by PTI, the current assessment shows a low chance of a national outbreak with consistent transmission. However, increased surveillance is still required to identify issues early and take action.
Three Delhi Hospitals Designated as Nodal Centers for Mpox Management
Three central government-run hospitals in New Delhi, Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, Safdarjung Hospital, and Lady Hardinge Medical College, have been chosen by the ministry as nodal centers for the isolation, treatment, and management of Mpox patients to ensure efficient management of any potential cases. Further, all state governments have received instructions to locate and get ready hospitals under their purview to manage cases of this viral disease. The goal of this decentralized strategy is to deliver timely and effective healthcare throughout the nation.
32 Testing Laboratories in India Equipped for Early Monkeypox Diagnosis
The network of testing laboratories has received instructions from the ministry to be ready for the early diagnosis of instances of monkeypox. There are already 32 labs in India that are set up to do virus tests. According to the WHO, the main way that Mpox is spread from person to person is by direct physical contact, such as touching, kissing, or sexual activity. Additionally, it can transfer from infected animals to humans through bites, scratches, or contact with contaminated objects like clothes or linens. It can also spread through activities like cooking and hunting. There are additional concerns for pregnant women since they can transmit the virus to their unborn offspring.
Understanding Mpox Symptoms: Rash, Fever, and More
Mpox symptoms as usual develop one to three weeks following exposure and may persist for up to four weeks. Common indications and symptoms include:
Rash: One of the main factors of Mpox is a rash that starts as flat sores and progresses into blisters filled with fluid, which can hurt or itch. As they heal, these lesions eventually turn crusty and shed.
Fever: High fever is often seen along with the rash.
Headache and Muscle Aches: Severe headaches and muscular aches are common in individuals.
Swollen lymph nodes: Another typical sign is lymphadenopathy or swollen lymph nodes.
Fatigue: It’s common to feel generally exhausted or short on energy.
Differences may occur in the number and severity of lesions that occur; some people may only have a few, while others may get hundreds. The face, lips, genital area, anus, palms, soles, and other portions of the body can all have these lesions.
WHO’s Stance on the Mpox Outbreak: A Global Public Health Emergency
The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified Mpox as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) given its widespread prevalence, particularly in parts of Africa. The current strain of the virus is said to be more virulent and infectious, raising concerns even with the low risk of a major outbreak in India. Globally, as of an earlier WHO report, there have been 99,176 cases and 208 deaths credited to Mpox across 116 countries since 2022. The Democratic Republic of Congo has seen a particularly steady increase in cases.
Key Differences Between Mpox and the COVID-19 Pandemic
The World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed to the public on Tuesday that the Mpox outbreak is not comparable to the COVID-19 pandemic, stressing that the virus is already well understood and controllable. Despite the need for further research on the Clade 1b strain, which cautioned the UN agency to declare an international health emergency, WHO’s European director, Hans Kluge, expressed faith that the spread of this viral disease can be contained. The WHO had earlier affirmed a health emergency in July 2022 in feedback to the global outbreak of the less severe Clade 2b strain of Mpox.