Mpox comes to India. Are we prepared? | Gravitas | World News | WION

Summary

India's Ministry of Health confirmed its first case of monkeypox in a young male patient who had recently traveled from an affected country. The patient has been isolated in a New Delhi hospital, and his condition is stable. The ministry has advised states to implement precautionary measures and strengthen public health infrastructure. With the WHO declaring monkeypox a global health emergency, India is ramping up its laboratory testing capabilities and preparing hospitals for potential cases, highlighting the government's swift action to prevent a larger outbreak.

Takeaways

• 🌟 India confirmed its first case of monkeypox (empo) in a young male patient who had recently traveled to a country dealing with an empo outbreak.
• 🔬 The Ministry of Health verified the case as travel-related, with laboratory testing confirming the West African clade of the empo virus.
• 🏥 The patient is currently isolated in a specialized hospital in New Delhi, with a stable condition and no comorbidities.
• 📢 The Ministry of Health has advised states and union territories to implement precautionary measures to prevent the spread of empo.
• 🛡️ Health secretary issued an advisory to local health authorities to strengthen public health infrastructure and prepare for potential cases.
• 🩺 Healthcare workers, especially those dealing with skin conditions and sexually transmitted diseases, have been informed about empo symptoms, diagnosis, isolation protocols, and treatment.
• 🏛️ The National Center for Disease Control's guidelines on empo have been updated, focusing on surveillance strategies, testing, and clinical management.
• 🧬 The National Institute of Virology in Pune is tasked with testing samples, while the Serum Institute of India collaborates on vaccine development.
• 🌍 Globally, empo has escalated, with the WHO declaring it a public health emergency of international concern due to a new, more lethal strain.
• 🚨 India is enhancing its laboratory testing capabilities, with 35 labs being equipped for early diagnosis and major hospitals preparing to treat empo patients if necessary.

Q & A

What is the first case of empo reported in India?

India's Ministry of Health confirmed the first case of empo in a young male patient who had recently returned from a country dealing with an empo outbreak.

How was the presence of empo virus confirmed in the patient?

Laboratory testing confirmed the presence of empo virus of the West African clade in the patient.

What did the Ministry of Health classify this empo case as?

The Ministry classified this case as an isolated case, similar to the 30 cases reported in India from July 2022 onwards, and not part of the current Public Health Emergency.

Where has the empo patient been isolated?

The empo patient has been isolated in a specialized hospital in New Delhi.

What is the current condition of the empo patient?

The patient's condition is stable and he is not displaying any co-morbidities.

What precautionary measures did the Ministry of Health instruct states to implement?

The Ministry instructed states and union territories to implement precautionary measures to prevent the spread of empo and reduce the risk of fatalities.

What guidance did the health secretary issue to local health authorities?

The health secretary issued an advisory to local health authorities to strengthen the infrastructure at public health facilities.

What was the directive given to healthcare workers regarding empo?

Healthcare workers, particularly those in clinics focusing on skin conditions, sexually transmitted diseases, and the national AIDS control organization, were instructed about the symptoms, diagnosis, isolation protocols, and treatment of empo.

What does the advisory from the Central Health ministry recommend for suspected empo cases?

The advisory recommends targeted testing of suspected cases, especially in areas with high-risk populations, including hospital-based surveillance and testing at the NAU's intervention sites.

How is India enhancing its laboratory testing capabilities for empo?

India is equipping 35 labs to handle early diagnosis of empo and major hospitals are preparing to treat empo patients if necessary.

What is the global context of the empo outbreak?

Global concerns about empo have escalated with the World Health Organization declaring empo a public health emergency of international concern, marking only the second time in two years such an alert has been issued.

What is the primary mode of transmission for empo?

The primary mode of transmission for empo is sexual contact, although nonsexual transmission is also possible.