Health Ministry raises alarm on monkeypox, issues guidelines

Majority of monkeypox cases have been reported from the European Region (86%) and the Americas (11%)

With the number of monkeypox cases across the globe increasing steadily, the Union health ministry, on Thursday, asked the state governments to identify hospitals, skilled human resources and arrange other required logistics to manage monkeypox cases, if and when required in any state.

In a letter to all states, union health secretary Rajesh Bhushan said that between January 1, 2022, and June 22, 2022, 3,413 laboratory confirmed cases of monkeypox, and one death, had been reported to the World Health Organisation from 50 countries.

Majority of these cases were reported from the European region (86 per cent) and the Americas (11 per cent).

Also Read: First Monkeypox case in India confirmed in Kerala

The central health ministry’s letter to the state governments came on the day when Kerala reported India’s first monkeypox case.

“This points to a slow but sustained increase in the spread of cases globally. Considering this is the first time that cases and clusters are being reported concurrently in five WHO regions, the WHO has assessed the overall risk of spread of cases as ‘moderate’ at global level,” Bhushan wrote.

Bhushan asked the state administrations for regular orientation of teams carrying out health inspection at various points of entry, doctors managing patients in hospitals and members of disease surveillance teams.

“Hospitals must be identified, and adequate human resource and logistic support should be ensured at identified hospitals equipped to manage suspected or confirmed cases of monkeypox,” he wrote.

Bhushan urged the states to ensure screening and testing of all suspect cases at points of entry, besides carrying out intensive risk communication directed at healthcare workers, health facilities as well as the public about preventive strategies and the need for prompt reporting of suspected cases.

Patient isolation (until all lesions resolve and scabs fall off), protection of ulcers, symptomatic and supportive therapies, continued monitoring, and timely treatment of complications remain key to prevent death.