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As India confirmed the first case of Mpox transmission, in Pune, civic health authorities have stepped up measures to prevent and control transmission of the disease.
Apart from reserving a 10-bed isolation ward at Naidu infectious diseases hospital, a total of 3,836 people on 38 flights have been screened at the Pune international airport till date,” said Dr Vaishali Jadhav, PMC’s assistant health officer.
Civic health department officials said they have not detected a single chronic patient so far. Passengers who arrive from Dubai and Singapore are being screened, Dr Jadhav added.
The Union health and family welfare ministry has in its latest advisory instructed states to review their respective public health preparedness to deal with any possible cases of Mpox infections.
“Accordingly we have also instructed our healthcare workers – those working in skin/ STD clinics and so on, to stay alert for signs and symptoms and differential diagnosis,” Dr Jadhav said. The PMC health department has instructed private doctors, Indian Medical Association and other health agencies to notify suspected cases.
When contacted Dr IS Gilada, consultant in HIV/STDs and secretary general, People’s Health Organisation, told The Indian Express that it has become imperative to take effective steps to prevent and control Mpox transmission in India in a way that it does not invite stigma and discrimination for the diagnosed or suspected patient of Mpox, his/her family members and the community she lives.
“What is required is educating/ training medical caregivers on different aspects of Mpox, its diagnosis, management and prevention,” Dr Gilada said, adding that specialised labs need to be vigilant, proactive and quick in reporting. He has also urged for genome sequencing strategies. Dr Gilada has said that Mpox is not transmitted through the respiratory route.
“This being a sexually transmitted infection in almost 99 per cent cases outside endemic zones of Africa, males with male sexual partners, bisexuals, and those having multi-partner sex should be prioritised for prevention efforts including Mpox vaccination. This was how the 2022-23 outbreak of Mpox was controlled globally. National AIDS Control Organisation-NACO through their state AIDS Control Societies, ART Centres, ICTC centres and partner NGOs/Community Organisations should be activated to handle Mpox,” he added.
