India's Response to WHO's Declaration of Mpox as a Public Health Emergency
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Event | WHO declares Mpox a public health emergency of international concern. |
| Reason | Increasing prevalence of Mpox in Africa. |
| Indian Government Response | Heightened vigilance measures implemented despite no WHO travel advisories. |
| Vigilance at Entry Points | Airport, port, and border authorities alerted, especially at borders with Bangladesh and Pakistan. |
| Hospital Preparedness | Isolation facilities set up at Safdarjung Hospital, Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, and Lady Hardinge. |
| Expert Consultations | Union Health Ministry held meetings with experts and NCDC to address the new Mpox variant. |
| Enhanced Surveillance | Review meeting led by PK Mishra; enhanced surveillance measures in place. |
| Testing Facilities | Testing available at 32 ICMR centers; nodal officers stationed in hospitals. |
| Risk Evaluation | Mpox described as self-limiting with symptoms similar to chickenpox; low risk of widespread transmission in India. |
| WHO Declaration | Mpox classified as a public health emergency; no travel advisories issued. |
| Current Status in India | No cases reported in India as of now. |