Sweden became the first country outside Africa to report mpox infection since the latest outbreak.
Mpox Outbreak Latest Updates: A suspected case of viral mpox, previously called MonkeypoxA gun attack was reported in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir on Monday, bringing the total number of people affected in the country to four.
The 47-year-old patient, a resident of PoK, recently returned to Pakistan from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. According to health authorities, he is displaying all the symptoms corresponding to the viral infection.
Three more cases of the disease have been reported in the last week. Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan.
Mpox declared a public health emergency
1) The World Health Organization (WHO) declared mpox a public health emergency on August 14. Prior to this, the virus had been largely contained within the Central African country of Congo, which accounted for more than 96 percent of all cases.
The current situation and preparedness were reviewed with senior Ministry officials following the World Health Organization’s declaration of Mpox as a public health emergency of international concern.So far, no cases of Mpox have been detected in India. The Indian government has… image.twitter.com/HApKLOP6fE
– Jagat Prakash Nadda (@JPNadda) August 17, 2024
2) Following the WHO declaration, Sweden became the first country outside Africa to report mpox infection. In Africa, at least 13 countries are still affected.
India on high alert over mpox fears: Latest updates
3) In response to the outbreak of mpox in some countries, the Indian government has stepped up its efforts to ensure strict surveillance at entry points to prevent the infection from entering India.
4) Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been closely monitoring the mpox outbreak. On Sunday, principal secretary to the prime minister PK Mishra chaired a review meeting where officials were directed to implement precautionary measures and ensure preparedness to deal with any possible spread of the virus.
Indian borders on alert over MPOX cases
5) In India, the Centre has directed airport, port and border authorities to remain vigilant and ensure strict surveillance to detect any infection at the earliest.
6) Three central hospitals in the national capital — Safdarjung Hospital, Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital and Lady Hardinge Hospital — will be equipped with isolation facilities for the patients, official sources told news agency ANI. A total of 32 laboratories across India are geared up to conduct testing of samples, the Centre said in a press release on Sunday.
Is the mpox virus deadly? How does it spread?
7) While the mortality rate from mpox is high, the likelihood of the disease affecting India remains low. Spread through contact with infected people or animals or contaminated objects (such as bedsheets), mpox usually presents with a rash in mild cases. However, in severe cases, lesions such as sores and ulcers may appear.
8) According to current estimates, the virus has a mortality rate of approximately 3.87 percent. Mpox infections are usually self-limiting and symptoms last for 2-4 weeks. The last time a case of Mpox was reported in India was in March 2024.
First published: August 20, 2024 | 10:11 a.m. IS
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