New Delhi: The Indian government has intensified its vigilance at airports, ports, and border areas with Bangladesh and Pakistan, following reports of a suspected mpox (monkeypox) case in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) on Monday. This latest case, involving a 47-year-old resident of PoK who recently returned from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, brings the total number of affected individuals in Pakistan to four.
Globally, mpox cases have surged, with over 15,600 cases and 537 deaths reported this year alone, surpassing last year's total. While India has reported 30 mpox cases since 2022, with the last detected in March 2024, no new cases have emerged since then.
Health officials have noted that the current strain of the virus is more virulent and infectious. However, the risk of a large outbreak with sustained transmission in India is currently assessed as low. In response, the government has designated three major hospitals in Delhi—Ram Manohar Lohia, Safdarjung, and Lady Hardinge—as key facilities for quarantining, managing, and treating suspected cases. States have also been instructed to prepare similar nodal centers to ensure readiness.
The Centre has also enhanced testing capabilities, with 32 laboratories across the country now equipped for early detection. Despite the low risk, the Health Ministry emphasizes the importance of prompt detection and swift action to prevent any potential spread.
In light of the global situation, where the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared mpox a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, India is taking proactive measures. P.K. Mishra, Principal Secretary to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, recently chaired a high-level meeting to review the country's preparedness. Enhanced surveillance and public awareness campaigns are being rolled out to educate the public and healthcare providers on mpox symptoms and prevention.
As the world continues to grapple with the evolving health threat posed by mpox, India remains on high alert, ensuring its healthcare infrastructure is fully prepared to respond to any emerging cases. /BI/
