Monkeypox outbreak: Health Minister JP Nadda reviews preparedness amid global surge

Aug. 17, 2024, 11:58 a.m.

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Concerned about the alarming increase in monkeypox cases globally, especially in Africa, Union Health Minister JP Nadda convened a high-level meeting with senior officials on Saturday. He stressed the importance of taking preventative measures to avoid a potential outbreak.

Your browser does not support the video tag. During the meeting led by the Union Health Minister, it was decided that as a precautionary measure, several steps would be implemented. These include raising awareness among health units at all airports, seaports, and border crossings; preparing testing laboratories; and enhancing health facilities to identify, isolate, and manage any potential cases.

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It's important to note that Monkeypox infections typically resolve on their own within two to four weeks. Most individuals recover with supportive care. The virus spreads primarily through close, prolonged contact with an infected person. Transmission occurs mainly through sexual activity, direct contact with bodily fluids or lesions, or contact with contaminated clothing or linens.

Read Also: Mpox cases in Africa have surged to over 18,700 as a new, more severe strain, Clade 1b, spreads. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared Monkeypox a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) in July 2022, but subsequently revoked the declaration in May 2023. Globally, WHO has reported 99,176 cases and 208 deaths due to Monkeypox across 116 countries since 2022. Since the 2022 WHO declaration, India has detected a total of 30 cases, with the last case reported in March 2024.