The meeting assessed the current status, noting that no new cases have been reported in India since March 2024.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is actively overseeing the MPox situation, following the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recent designation of the disease as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), according to a statement released by the government-run Press Information Bureau (PIB) on Sunday. (The WHO issued this declaration on August 14, 2024, citing the disease’s continued spread, particularly in Africa.)
According to PIB, Dr. P.K. Mishra, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, chaired a high-level meeting to review India’s preparedness and public health measures against MPox. The meeting assessed the current status, noting that no new cases have been reported in India since March 2024. The risk of a large-scale outbreak remains low, but vigilance is being maintained.
MPox, which has affected over 99,000 individuals globally since 2022, is characterized by a self-limiting illness lasting 2-4 weeks, generally recoverable with supportive care. The disease spreads through close contact with infected individuals, including sexual contact and contact with contaminated materials.
Recent steps include:
- A risk assessment meeting by the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) on August 12, 2024.
- Updates to the NCDC’s Communicable Disease Alert on MPox.
- Increased sensitization efforts for health teams at international airports.
Additionally, a video conference led by the Director General of Health Services (DGHS) on Saturday August 18 involved over 200 participants, including state health authorities and Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) units.
Dr. Mishra has directed enhanced surveillance, improved testing capabilities, and a widespread awareness campaign to inform healthcare providers about MPox prevention and treatment protocols. Currently, 32 labs are equipped to conduct MPox tests.
The government continues to prioritize monitoring and preparedness to ensure a robust response to any potential cases of MPox.
