Virulent strain is in circulation in Democratic Republic of Congo and more than a dozen African countries; no case reported in India at present.
The Union Health Ministry on Monday ( August 19, 2024) said the strain of monkeypox virus presently in circulation in the Democratic Republic of Congo and further than a dozen African countries is virulent and has a death rate of 3 as opposed to 0.1 from the less virulent strain.
As per our report the chances of its spread into India from Africa are moderate. We're also not putting in any country-wise alert as there's no cause for alarm as of now. Hospitals and doctors, however, have been advised that any case coming in with symptoms must be reported immediately. India is also looking at large scale testing provisions as the need arise, ” said a senior Health Ministry official on Monday, adding that there are no reported cases of monkeypox in India as of date.
He added that although the possibility of a many imported cases being detected in the coming weeks can not be ruled out, it has been assessed that the threat of a large outbreak with sustained transmission is presently low for India.
There are two subtypes of the virus —
1- The more virulent Clade 1, endemic in the Congo Basin in central Africa ,and
2- Clade 2, endemic in West Africa.
Monkeypox infections are generally self- limiting, lasting between 2- 4 weeks and cases generally recover with probative management. The transmission requires prolonged close contact with an infected person and is generally through the sexual route, direct contact with body/ lesion fluid, or the polluted apparel linen of an infected person.
WHO had before declared monkeypox as a PHEIC in July 2022 and latterly revoked the same in May 2023. Globally, since 2022, WHO has reported 99,176 cases and 208 deaths due to monkeypox from 116 countries. Since the 2022 declaration by WHO, a aggregate of 30 cases were detected in India, with the last case in March 2024.
The Centre has informed the authorities in airports, ports and borders with Bangladesh and Pakistan to remain alert about incoming international passengers who show monkeypox( mpox) symptoms, sources said. Mpox has been spreading around the world.
Here's a 10- point summary to help you grasp the main points of this big story
1 - Three state- run hospitals have been named as the crucial installations in Delhi to quarantine, manage and treat mpox cases. They're Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, Safdarjung Hospital, and Lady Hardinge Hospital.
2- The Centre has asked all countries to keep hospitals ready to handle mpox cases. These hospitals should be designated as nodal centres and the information given to the public, sources said.
3- PK Mishra, Principal Secretary to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, chaired a meeting on Sunday to review the country's preparedness for mpox amid enhanced surveillance for prompt detection
4- Officials said no mpox case has been reported from the country at present. According to assessment, the threat of a large outbreak with sustained transmission is low, they said.
5- The World Health Organisation( WHO) has declared mpox a public health emergency of international concern in view of its prevalence and spread across numerous parts of Africa.
6- The virus strain this time is different and is more virulent and contagious. But the threat of a large outbreak with sustained transmission is low in the country as per the current assessment," news agency PTI reported quoting an officer.
7- The Health Ministry has ordered officers to insure the network of testing laboratories is ready for early diagnosis of the disease. At present, 32 laboratories in the country are equipped for testing mpox.
8- An earlier statement from WHO said 99,176 cases and 208 deaths have been reported due to mpox from 116 countries since 2022.
9- Mpox cases have been steadily increasing in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Last time, the number of reported cases around the world increased significantly. This time, the number of cases reported so far has formerly exceeded last time's aggregate, with more than 15,600 cases and 537 deaths.
10- Since 2022, at least 30 mpox cases have been reported from India. The last case of mpox was detected in March this time.
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