So far 9 cases of monkeypox have been reported in India, out of which 5 are from Kerala with international travel history and four from Delhi with no recent travel history. Cases of monkeypox have also been reported in other parts of the world, which is a cause of concern at a time when the world is still fighting the COVID-19 menace.
Here’s what we know about monkeypox in India so far:
1) A 31-year-old woman tested positive for monkeypox in the national capital on Wednesday, taking India’s tally to nine.
2) Earlier on Tuesday, another 35-year-old Nigerian man living in Delhi, who had no recent travel history, tested positive for monkeypox.
3) Amid the rise in monkeypox cases, isolation rooms have been made operational in three central government hospitals to treat such infections. Official sources told ANI, “Isolation rooms are operational in three major central government hospitals i.e. Safdarjung Hospital, RML Hospital and Lady Hardinge Hospital for the treatment of monkeypox patients.”
4) Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya has assured citizens not to panic and said that awareness campaigns are being conducted in collaboration with state governments to prevent the spread of infection.
5) 100 samples have been tested till August 2, said Dr Pragya Yadav Senior Scientist ICMR-NIV, Pune.
6) NCDC, Delhi and AIIMS labs have also started testing for monkeypox as ICMR-NIV is sharing reagents with the National Center for Disease Control (NCDC) and a network of 15 laboratories across the country to start testing has gone.
7) India has started discussions with vaccine manufacturers to develop monkeypox vaccine and diagnostic kits.
8) “We are already engaging with potential players,” said Vinod Kumar Paul, member of the government think tank NITI Aayog and head of the National Task Force on COVID-19. “As you know, we have a strong presence of our vaccine potential, so that too is under active consideration of the government.”
9) monkeypox jabo Raman Gangakhedkar, National Co-Chair, ICMR said in an interview with Mint, only medics can be there for high-risk population groups.
10) “All preparations are being made for the vaccine. I briefed the minister on this. We are researching monkeypox vaccine and if it is needed,” said CEO of Serum Institute of India Adar Poonawalla Said after a meeting with Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Tuesday.
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