NEW DELHI: Union health secretary Apurva Chandra on Monday issued an advisory to states/UTs following WHO‘s declaration of Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) related to Mpox.
Chandra in the advisory asked the state/UTs to disseminate and take action on the updated CD-Alert on Mpox issued by NCDC which details surveillance strategy (including epidemiological case definitions, contact tracing etc.), list of laboratories operationalized to undertake testing, clinical management protocol, infection prevention and control practices as well as risk communication strategy.
He also directed the states to review public health preparedness particularly at health facility level at the State and Districts by senior officials and identification of isolation facilities in hospitals for taking care of both suspect and confirmed cases, availability of required logistics and trained human resources in such facilities and augmentation plan. He also asked for orientation of all key stakeholders.
Additionally, he in the advisory also said that while all States are requested to undertake appropriate activities to make communities aware about the disease, it is crucial that any undue panic amongst the masses is prevented.

Chandra further said that the Union ministry of health & family welfare shall continue to monitor the situation closely and will extend all requisite support to states and UTs.
Meanwhile, India’s first suspected case related to monkeypox has been identified in the national capital of Delhi. This is the first case in the country after monkeypox was declared a global health emergency.
As per the Union health ministry, the patient has been put under isolation in a designated hospital and is currently stable. The samples from the patient are being tested to confirm the presence of Mpox.