Mon Sep 09 14:36:35 UTC 2024: ## India Confirms First Case of Monkeypox, Issues Nationwide Alert
The Indian Health Ministry has confirmed the country’s first case of monkeypox (Mpox), emphasizing that it is an isolated case and unrelated to the current global health emergency declared by the World Health Organization (WHO). The individual, who recently traveled from a country experiencing active Mpox transmission, is currently isolated in a designated tertiary care facility.
The Ministry has issued directives to all state governments, recommending the screening and testing of suspected cases, isolation of confirmed cases, and contact tracing to prevent further spread of the disease. States have been instructed to prepare isolation facilities and designate specific hospitals to handle potential Mpox cases.
The Union Health Secretary, Apurva Chandra, highlighted the WHO’s assessment that the risk of spreading the current Mpox outbreak beyond Africa is “moderate.” He further emphasized the importance of strengthening health screening at points of entry, including airports, to detect any suspected cases. The Indian Council of Medical Research’s laboratory network has been strengthened to test samples from potential cases.
State AIDS Control societies have been put on alert to identify potential cases and raise awareness in communities to encourage timely reporting. The Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme continues to monitor for any clustering of cases.
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