Patient found in Delhi infected with 'Monkeypox'

Patient in isolation
Centre issues guidelines to the States

New Delhi – After the first case of ‘monkeypox’ was detected in the country, the Union Government on September 9, ordered all States and Union Territories to conduct immediate screening of suspected cases. The Union Ministry of Health issued guidelines in this regard. The patient found in Delhi on September 8 was found to be infected with ‘monkeypox’ and has been kept in isolation.

It is clear and confirmed that patient in Delhi is infected with ‘Monkeypox’.

Patient is kept in isolation.

Guidelines issued by the Centre to the States.#MpoxAwareness #MpoxIndia pic.twitter.com/pcYMxPSbAu

— Sanatan Prabhat (@SanatanPrabhat) September 10, 2024

The Union Government has directed to verify if isolation facility is available for suspected as well as confirmed patients. Union Health Secretary Apoorva Chandra, in a letter sent to the State Governments and Union Territories on September 9, has also asked to ensure that no unwanted fear is spread among the citizens. Chandra also explained that no new case of monkeypox has been reported in India and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is closely monitoring the situation. He asked the States and Union Territories to review the effectiveness of public health facilities, as well as to ensure availability of isolation facilities in hospitals, necessary materials, and trained manpower. Survey teams coming under ‘Integrated Disease Survey Programmes’ at State and District levels have been asked to focus on this.

The results of the tests on the suspected patient found on September 8 were received on September 9. It revealed that this person, who had recently returned from a country having monkeypox infection, was infected with the West African Clade-2 virus; however, the Union Health Ministry clarified that the ‘clade-1’ virus, declared ‘public health emergency’ by the World Health Organisation (WHO), has not been detected.

Important notices circulated by the Centre to all the States

1. Check the effectiveness of the public health system.
2. Create awareness about ‘monkeypox’ disease.
3. Take a look at hospital isolation rooms.
4. Be prepared for safe patient transport.
5. Train health workers properly. Review evidence at District level.