Narendra Modi continues to monitor Mpox situation amid WHO declaring it as global health emergency
Indian PM Narendra Modi has been continuously monitoring the MPox situation amid recent detection in cases in several countries including neighbouring Pakistan.
As advised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Dr. P. K. Mishra, Principal Secretary to Prime Minister, chaired a high-level meeting to review the status of preparedness for Mpox in the country and related public health measures.
"The high-level meeting was briefed that as of now, there is no reported case of Mpox in the country. As per the present assessment, the risk of a large outbreak with sustained transmission is low," read the statement issued by the Indian government.
Principal Secretary to Prime Minister was informed that Mpox infections are generally self-limiting lasting between 2-4 weeks; Mpox patients usually recover with supportive medical care and management.
Mpox transmission happens through prolonged and close contact with an infected patient.
It happens largely through the sexual route, direct contact with body/lesion fluid of the patient, or through the contaminated clothing/linen of an infected person.
Viral disease, global concern
Mpox – formerly monkeypox - is a viral disease that can be transmitted through physical contact with an infected person, animal or contaminated objects.
It was first detected in humans in 1970, in the DRC, and is considered endemic to countries in Central and West Africa.
Outbreaks are caused by different mpox viruses called clades, and the clade 1 strain has been circulating in the DRC for years.
The emergence of a new offshoot – clade 1b - and its rapid spread, including to nearby countries, is among the main reasons why WHO declared on Wednesday that mpox constitutes a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC).
So far this year, more than 2,100 laboratory confirmed cases of the disease, and 13 deaths, have been reported in the DRC and 11 other countries: Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa and Uganda.
This compares to 1,145 confirmed cases, and seven deaths, in 11 countries for all of 2023.
IBNS
Senior Staff Reporter at Northeast Herald, covering news from Tripura and Northeast India.
Related Articles
Decade of slowing deforestation offers hope for forests: FAO data
Lush, green and brimming with trees and wildlife, forests are the Earth’s lungs and source of livelihoods for many communities.
Tamil Nadu on high alert as northeast monsoon intensifies, bringing heavy rains; cyclone risk looms over Bay of Bengal
Several districts across Tamil Nadu are on high alert as the northeast monsoon intensifies following its early onset, raising fears of a potential cyclone formation over the Bay of Bengal.
Despite 77.5% drop in stubble burning, Delhi’s air quality hits a five-year post-Diwali low
Despite a 77.5 percent drop in stubble burning. long seen as a primary cause of Delhi’s winter smog, the capital’s air quality collapsed to a five-year post-Diwali low on Tuesday morning, with PM2.5 levels averaging 488 micrograms per cubic metre, nearly 100 times the World Health Organization’s exposure limit.
Pakistani health department begins investigating two deaths as dengue cases spike
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Health Department has launched an investigation into the deaths of two people in Mardan, reportedly caused by dengue fever, as the province’s total number of infections rose to 3,638 with 37 new cases reported on Sunday.
Latest News
Andhra bus fire: Smartphones worth ₹46 lakh inside Kurnool bus worsened blaze that killed 20
Bihar Assembly polls: Over 400 Tripura State Rifles personnel to provide security
Pakistan: JUI-F leader survives blast inside Lower South Waziristan mosque
Marwari Sanskriti Manch hosts Deepawali Mahotsav 2025 in Salt Lake
