The risk of increase in monkeypox cases in India is very low and there is no need to panic. Health Ministry sources have given this information. However, WHO has declared this disease a major concern at the international level and has declared a public health emergency. According to official sources, the last monkeypox case in India was reported from Kerala in March this year. According to official data, a total of 30 lab-confirmed monkeypox cases have been reported in India since 2022.
The Health Ministry may possibly advise places with entry points like airports and seaports to remain alert. Can also give guidelines regarding suspicious cases. A source told the news agency, ‘At present, the risk of increase in monkeypox cases in India is very low and there is no need to panic.’
Health Minister JP Nadda held a meeting
Health Minister JP Nadda held a meeting with officials of the ministry, NCDC and ICMR on Saturday. He reviewed the situation and preparations for monkeypox. The Health Minister said that precautionary measures will be taken to prevent and control the spread of the disease.
The meeting was told that monkeypox infection is usually self-limiting lasting 2-4 weeks and patients usually recover. Staying with a person with infection for a long time can spread it to others also. It is usually spread through sexual routes, direct contact with body/wound fluid or contaminated clothing of an infected person.
WHO declared monkeypox a matter of international concern in July 2022 and later canceled it in May 2023. Globally, by 2022, WHO reported 99,176 cases and 208 deaths due to monkeypox from 116 countries. Since the 2022 announcement by WHO, a total of 30 cases have been reported in India, of which the last case was reported in March 2024. At present, the Health Ministry is keeping a close eye on the situation.