Mpox Advisory: Centre orders states to screen, test and trace all suspects | Health News

In response to the growing global concern over Mpox, the Union Health Ministry on Monday issued an advisory to all states and Union Territories. This follows the World Health Organisation (WHO) declaring Mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). The advisory aims to increase preparedness, detect suspected cases and trace contacts to prevent the spread of the disease.

The Ministry of Health advisory focuses on strengthening the national response to Mpox, minimising risks and ensuring prompt interventions. This advisory was issued a day after a suspected case of Mpox was reported in a man who had recently travelled from a country with active Mpox transmission. The individual is currently in isolation at a designated hospital and is stable, with no immediate cause for concern. His samples are being analysed to confirm Mpox.

Consulting highlights:

1. Guidelines for case management: The Ministry has recommended dissemination of ‘Guidelines for Management of Monkeypox Disease’ across all states and Union Territories to ensure uniform and effective management of cases.

2. Enhanced Surveillance Alert: An updated alert issued by the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) outlines comprehensive strategies for surveillance, testing, clinical care and risk communication, which states and Union Territories are urged to follow.

3. Strengthening public health systems: Officials are encouraged to assess and improve public health preparedness at the state and district levels, ensuring that facilities are prepared to handle potential cases.

4. Preparation of insulation facilities: States and Union Territories have been directed to identify and equip isolation facilities within hospitals to manage suspected and confirmed cases of Mpox, with a focus on ensuring necessary logistics and trained staff.

5. Training for health personnel: There is a call for retraining of health workers and surveillance units on updated protocols for case definitions, contact tracing, clinical management and infection prevention.

6. Detection and testing of suspected cases: The advisory emphasizes the importance of screening and testing all suspected Mpox cases through targeted, hospital-based surveillance systems.

7. Clear communication about risks: The advisory highlights the need for clear communication to healthcare professionals, healthcare facilities and the public about preventive measures and the importance of prompt case reporting.

8. Public awareness: Efforts are encouraged to raise community awareness about Mpox, its transmission methods and preventive measures to avoid unnecessary panic.

9. Continuous monitoring: The Ministry will maintain close monitoring of the situation and provide continued support to the states and Union Territories to manage the outbreak effectively.

On Sunday, the Health Ministry said India is well prepared to handle isolated travel-related cases of Mpox, with robust measures in place to manage and mitigate the risks.

Last month, WHO declared Mpox a public health emergency of international concern for the second time due to its spread across many regions, especially Africa. Since WHO’s initial declaration of PHEIC in 2022, India has reported 30 cases of Mpox, with the last case detected in March this year.

According to the WHO, more than 99,000 cases of Mpox and 208 deaths have been reported in 116 countries since 2022. This year alone, more than 15,600 cases and 537 deaths have been recorded, which exceeds the total for last year.

Mpox is a viral zoonosis with symptoms similar to those of smallpox, although less severe. The disease is usually self-limiting and lasts between two and four weeks; most patients recover with supportive care. Transmission occurs primarily through prolonged close contact, including sexual contact, direct contact with bodily fluids or injuries, and contaminated clothing or bedding.