Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda Reviews Monkeypox Preparedness in India
New Delhi, August 17: Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda held a meeting with senior officials to review India’s preparedness for Monkeypox after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared it a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). As of now, there are no reported cases of Monkeypox in India.
Precautionary Measures
In the meeting, it was decided to take precautionary measures such as sensitizing health units at airports, seaports, and ground crossings, readying 32 testing laboratories, and preparing health facilities for detecting, isolating, and managing any cases.
About Monkeypox
Monkeypox infections are usually self-limiting, lasting between 2-4 weeks, and patients generally recover with supportive management. Transmission requires prolonged close contact with an infected person and can occur through the sexual route, direct contact with body fluids, or contaminated clothing.
Global and National Situation
WHO declared Monkeypox a PHEIC in July 2022 and revoked it in May 2023. Since 2022, WHO has reported 99,176 cases and 208 deaths globally. In India, 30 cases were detected, with the last case in March 2024. A Joint Monitoring Group Meeting was held on August 16 to review the situation, attended by experts from various health organizations.
Current Risk Assessment
Although a few imported cases may be detected in the coming weeks, the risk of a large outbreak in India is currently low. The Ministry is closely monitoring the situation.
Doubts Revealed
Jagat Prakash Nadda -: Jagat Prakash Nadda is the Union Health Minister of India. He is responsible for looking after the health policies and programs in the country.
Monkeypox -: Monkeypox is a disease caused by a virus. It can cause fever, rash, and swollen lymph nodes. It spreads through close contact with an infected person or animal.
WHO -: WHO stands for the World Health Organization. It is a global organization that works to ensure health and safety for people all over the world.
Public Health Emergency of International Concern -: This is a declaration by WHO when a disease is spreading quickly and needs urgent attention from countries around the world to stop it.
Sensitizing health units -: This means making health workers more aware and prepared to handle a specific health issue, like Monkeypox, especially at places where people enter the country, like airports.
Testing labs -: These are special laboratories where scientists and doctors test samples to find out if someone has a disease, like Monkeypox.
Self-limiting -: This means that the disease usually goes away on its own without needing special treatment.
Close contact -: This means being very near to someone, like touching or being in the same room for a long time, which can spread diseases like Monkeypox.