Dr. PK Mishra Leads Meeting on Mpox Preparedness in India
New Delhi, August 18: Dr. PK Mishra, Principal Secretary to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, chaired a high-level meeting to review India’s preparedness for Mpox and related public health measures. This meeting follows the World Health Organization’s (WHO) declaration of Mpox as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on August 14, 2024.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been closely monitoring the Mpox situation. During the meeting, it was noted that there are currently no reported cases of Mpox in India, and the risk of a large outbreak is considered low. Mpox infections are generally self-limiting, lasting between 2-4 weeks, and patients usually recover with supportive care.
Mpox transmission occurs through prolonged and close contact with an infected person, primarily through the sexual route, direct contact with body fluids, or contaminated clothing. The Health Secretary informed that several steps have been taken recently, including a meeting of experts by the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and updating the Communicable Disease Alert on Mpox.
Health teams at international airports have been sensitized, and a video conference was held with over 200 participants, including state health authorities and Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) units. Dr. PK Mishra directed enhanced surveillance, prompt detection of cases, and gearing up testing laboratories. Currently, 32 labs are equipped for Mpox testing.
Dr. Mishra also emphasized the need for widespread dissemination of prevention and treatment protocols and an awareness campaign among healthcare providers. The meeting was attended by key officials, including Dr. VK Paul from NITI Aayog, Apurva Chandra, Secretary of Health and Family Welfare, and others.
Globally, since 2022, 99,176 cases and 208 deaths have been reported from 116 countries. The Democratic Republic of the Congo has seen a significant increase in cases, with over 15,600 cases and 537 deaths reported this year. In India, 30 cases were reported since the 2022 WHO declaration, with the last case detected in March 2024.
Doubts Revealed
Dr. PK Mishra -: Dr. PK Mishra is an important person who helps the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, by giving advice and making sure important tasks are done.
Mpox -: Mpox is a disease caused by a virus. It can make people sick, and it spreads from animals to humans and sometimes between humans.
WHO -: WHO stands for the World Health Organization. It is a group that helps countries around the world keep people healthy and fight diseases.
Public Health Emergency of International Concern -: This is a big alert given by the WHO when a disease is very serious and can spread to many countries, so everyone needs to be careful.
surveillance -: Surveillance means watching closely. In this case, it means keeping a close watch on people to see if they get sick with Mpox.
sensitization of health teams -: This means teaching doctors and nurses about Mpox so they know how to find and treat it.
testing labs -: These are special places where scientists check samples to see if someone has a disease like Mpox.
cases -: Cases mean the number of people who have gotten sick with Mpox.
deaths -: Deaths mean the number of people who have died because of Mpox.
