India steps up surveillance amid global Mpox emergency (Image credit: iStock)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been closely monitoring the MPox situation, with Dr PK Mishra, the Principal Secretary, overseeing enhanced surveillance and early case detection measures. Mishra has emphasised the need for an enhanced network of testing laboratories, which currently consists of 32 laboratories geared up for early diagnosis.
According to a Union government statement on Sunday, several initiatives have been launched over the past week, including an expert meeting organised by the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) on August 12 to assess India’s risk level. The communicable disease (CD) alert for MPox issued earlier by the NCDC has been updated to reflect the recent developments. In addition, health teams at international airports have been sensitised to better manage and respond to potential cases.
What is Mpox?
Mpox (monkeypox) is an infectious disease caused by the monkeypox virus. It can cause a painful rash, enlarged lymph nodes, and feverMost people recover completely, but some become seriously ill.
Mpox Symptoms
Symptoms usually appear 7 to 10 days after exposure to the monkeypox virus. The virus can be transmitted through close or intimate contact with an infected person. Symptoms include:
1. Fever: The sudden onset of high fever is usually one of the first symptoms.
2. Headache: Severe headaches often accompany fever.
3. Muscle aches: Muscle pain and discomfort are common, especially in the back and extremities.
4. Fatigue: A general feeling of exhaustion or tiredness is frequently reported.
5. Swollen lymph nodes: Swollen lymph nodes, particularly in the neck, armpit, or groin, is a key hallmark of Mpox.
Within a few days of the onset of fever, a rash usually appears, beginning on the face and then spreading to other parts of the body, including the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. The rash progresses through several stages:
– Macules: Flat, discolored spots on the skin.
– Papules: Firm, raised bumps.
– Vesicles: Small fluid-filled blisters.
– Pustules: Lesions filled with pus.
– Crusts: Pustules eventually dry out and form crusts, which fall off as the infection resolves.
The full illness usually lasts 2 to 4 weeks, and although symptoms can be severe, most people recover without requiring intensive medical care.
Who is at risk?
Some people may be more at risk than others. These include:
– People with weak immune systems
– Children under 1 year old
– People with a history of eczema.
– Pregnant women.
Preventive measures to take
Dr Ravindra Gupta, Head of Internal Medicine Department, CK Birla Hospital, Gurugram, shares preventive measures:
– Avoid contact with people who have fever and rash.
– Wash your hands frequently and use disinfectants.
– Avoid close, intimate sexual contact.
– Transmission from animal to person can occur through bites or scratches or by direct contact with an infected smallpox lesion.
– Vaccination, administered in two doses 28 days apart, helps reduce the risk of infection and the severity of the disease.
Disclaimer
The information contained in this post is for general information purposes only. We make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the post for any purpose.
We respect the intellectual property rights of content creators. If you are the owner of any material featured on our website and have concerns about its use, please contact us. We are committed to addressing any copyright issues promptly and will remove any material within 2 days of receiving a request from the rightful owner.