Amid rising monkeypox cases across the world, the central government has directed airport, port and border authorities to remain alert, sources said. However, three central hospitals – Safdarjung, RML and Lady Hardinge – are preparing for isolation like other facilities in case any infected person is found.
“We have alerted airports, seaports and borders with Bangladesh and Pakistan. Three central hospitals will have isolation facilities such as Safdarjung Hospital, Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital and Lady Hardinge Hospital,” officials said.
According to sources, the Union Health Ministry has met experts on the new variant of Mpox virus, which is “different” from the earlier monkeypox virus. “We had a meeting with states and the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) last week. Entry points are on alert. It is a self-limiting virus. There is no correlation between Mpox and COVID. Nodal officers are already at hospitals. Testing facilities are available at 32 ICMR centres. The symptoms of MPox are like chickenpox,” sources said.
“The chances of mortality are high, but there is little chance of it affecting India. This disease presents with skin rashes,” they added.
The Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister holds a meeting
Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Principal Secretary PK Mishra chaired a review meeting to assess the country’s preparedness for Mpox. During the high-level meeting, it was reported that no cases of Mpox have been reported in the country. As per the current assessment, the risk of a large outbreak with sustained transmission is low; however, enhanced surveillance measures have been put in place to ensure prompt detection and response.
It is noteworthy that the World Health Organization (WHO) has classified the Mpox virus as a public health emergency of international concern due to its prevalence in several parts of Africa. However, the WHO has not issued any travel warnings so far.
(With ANI inputs)
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