Monkeypox alert issued at all airports and borders; Delhi sets up isolation wards as Pakistan confirms fourth case

Monkeypox alert: The central government has issued a nationwide alert at all ports, airports, and borders with Pakistan and Bangladesh in response to the rising global cases of monkeypox. The Union Health Ministry has instructed officials to remain vigilant for symptoms of monkeypox in passengers arriving from abroad.

According to official sources, the Health Ministry has established nodal centers in three major hospitals in Delhi—Ram Manohar Lohia, Safdarjung, and Lady Hardinge. These hospitals have set up isolation wards specifically for the treatment and care of monkeypox patients.

In addition, the Centre has directed all state governments to prepare their hospitals to handle monkeypox cases if they arise. While no cases have been reported in India yet, officials have assessed that the risk of a large-scale outbreak is currently low. Monkeypox, often abbreviated as "ampox," remains a concern.

Fourth Case Detected in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir

Meanwhile, Pakistan has reported four cases of monkeypox, with the latest case emerging in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) on August 19. The 47-year-old patient, who recently returned to Pakistan from Saudi Arabia, has been admitted to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad. The previous three cases were reported in the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province.

What is Monkey-pox?

Monkeypox is a viral disease similar to smallpox. Although generally not severe, it can be fatal in some cases. The virus causes flu-like symptoms and pus-filled lesions on the body. It belongs to the Orthopoxvirus genus, which also includes the smallpox virus.

WHO Declares Monkeypox a Global Health Emergency

On August 14, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared monkeypox a global public health emergency, marking the second time in two years that the disease has received this designation. Monkeypox originally emerged in the African country of Congo and has significantly affected ten African nations before spreading to neighbouring regions.

The WHO has expressed concern over the disease's potential to spread to other parts of the world, especially through air travel and other modes of transportation. The mortality rate has varied across different outbreaks, sometimes exceeding 10 per cent.

Monkeypox Cases in India

Since 2022, India has reported 30 cases of monkeypox, with the most recent case in March 2024. Globally, the WHO has recorded 99,176 cases and 208 deaths across 116 countries since 2022, with over 15,600 cases and 537 deaths occurring this year alone. India currently has 32 laboratories equipped to test for monkeypox.

Also Read: M-Pox outbreak: Pakistan confirms first M-Pox case as Saudi Arabia returnee tests positive