Principal Secretary P.K. Mishra reported that India has not yet encountered any cases of Mpox. During a high-level meeting, Mishra shared that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been actively overseeing the country's Mpox situation.
The Health Ministry released a statement indicating that the meeting was convened to evaluate the nation’s preparedness and public health strategies for managing Mpox.
Last week, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared Mpox a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) due to its spread to approximately 13 African nations, including some previously unaffected by the disease.
The meeting revealed that, at present, there are no reported Mpox cases in India. The current assessment suggests that the likelihood of a major outbreak with ongoing transmission is low.
According to the Health Ministry, Mpox infections are typically self-limiting, with symptoms lasting between 2 to 4 weeks. Patients generally recover with supportive medical care. Transmission primarily occurs through extended close contact with an infected individual, particularly via sexual contact, direct exposure to bodily fluids or lesions, or through contaminated clothing and linen.
Mishra reiterated that the risk of a significant outbreak remains minimal. The WHO has reported 99,176 cases and 208 deaths across 116 countries since 2022. This year alone has seen more than 15,600 cases and 537 deaths, surpassing last year's figures.
India reported 30 Mpox cases since the WHO's 2022 declaration, with the most recent case identified in March 2024.
At the Sunday meeting, Mishra instructed for increased surveillance and effective measures for early case detection. He also emphasized the need for an expanded network of testing laboratories, currently numbering 32, to ensure prompt diagnosis.
Additionally, Mishra called for widespread dissemination of prevention and treatment protocols and stressed the importance of an awareness campaign for healthcare providers regarding Mpox symptoms and timely reporting.
The meeting was attended by V.K. Paul of NITI Aayog, Apurva Chandra, Secretary of Health and Family Welfare, and Rajiv Bahl, Secretary of Health Research, among others.
Apurva Chandra later announced that the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) had assembled a team of experts to evaluate the risk for India. Health teams at international airports and entry ports have been briefed on the situation. Separately, the Director General of Health Services (DGHS) held a video conference with over 200 state-level health authorities to discuss the ongoing situation.
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