India Takes Precautionary Measures Amid Global Mpox Health Emergency

New Delhi: The central government has initiated precautionary measures, including the preparation of emergency wards and alerting airports, following the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) declaration of mpox as a global public health emergency, according to sources from the Health Ministry.

Hospitals have been directed to identify patients with rashes and set up isolation wards. In Delhi, Safdarjung Hospital, Lady Hardinge Medical College, and Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital have been designated as nodal centres for treatment. Suspected cases will undergo RT-PCR tests and nasal swabs.

Airports have also been instructed to implement necessary precautions.

The WHO recently declared mpox a global health emergency for the second time in two years, noting that a new strain of the virus is spreading more easily through close contact, including sexual transmission.

Although India has not reported any cases of this new strain, neighbouring Pakistan confirmed three cases on August 16 in individuals who had travelled from the UAE. Previously, Sweden reported the first mpox case outside Africa.

Between June 2022 and May 2023, India recorded 30 mpox cases, predominantly in foreign nationals. The new strain appears to have a higher fatality rate than previous ones, according to Health Ministry officials. They added that those vaccinated against smallpox are likely protected, and no new vaccine is required at this time.