Barely two years after COVID-19 wreaked havoc, killing hundreds of thousands of people across India, country is staring at yet another medical emergency. As the World Health Organisation Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus declared mpox a medical emergency of international concern, the alarm bell was set ringing in India.

AIIMS Issues Protocol

The All India Institute for Medical Sciences (AIIMS) issued a protocol for handling suspected mpox cases in India and three Delhi government hospitals have been asked to be prepared to take suspected and confirmed cases of the disease. However, the moot question remains if India is ready to handle the medical emergency? What lessons has it learned and how can it use the expertise gained in handling the coronavirus?

Airports, Ports, Borders On Alert

The government has also alerted the ports, airports, and the international borders with Pakistan and Bangladesh to check passengers coming from abroad so that all suspected cases of mpox may be identified, separated and treated.

The central health institute has also issued the clear guidelines that the patients with fever, rash, or a history of contact with confirmed mpox cases should immediately be separated and treated.
It has also warned to identify symptoms like fever, headache, back pain, swollen lymph nodes, muscle aches, characteristic skin lesions, chills, and exhaustion.

The central guidelines have said in clear terms that suspected patients must be put in a designated isolation area to minimise contact with other patients and staff members of the hospital.

Hospitals On Alert

The government has designated Delhi’s Safdarjung Hospital for managing and treating mpox patients while patient suspected of having mpox should be referred to Safdarjung Hospital for further treatment.

Ambulances, PEPs

Taking lessons from COVID-19 days when availability of ambulances became an issue several times, the government has allotted a dedicated ambulance for taking the patients to Safdarjung Hospital.
The AIIMS has also advised all medical personnel involved with handling mpox cases to wear personal protective equipment.

SII Working On Mpox Vaccine

Known for developing coronavirus vaccine, Serum Institute of India CEO Adar Poonawala has announced that the project to make a vaccine for mpox has been launched. He also expressed hope that it would be developed within a year. He told journalists, “In view of the global health emergency declared due to the Mpox outbreak, SII is working on developing a vaccine for this disease to cater to millions of lives that might be at risk. Hopefully, we will have more updates and positive news to share within a year’s time.”

NIV Entrusted With Sample Testing

National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune has been instructed to carry out sample testing of suspected mpox cases. NIV scientist Dr. Pragya Yadav, said that the institute had been testing Mpox samples since 2022. She also said that due to the new lineage of Mpox, there are concerns. She further added that the samples have been coming in continuously. She confirmed no cases of mpox has been found so far.

Mpox Can Spread Sexually

Medical experts have expressed concern that the new lineage, CLADE 1B, can spread sexually. It has increased the danger many folds as many people inflicted with the disease may hide it due to moral issues.

No Countrywide Alert

A senior Ministry of Health official expressed hope that the chances of spread of mpox into India from Africa are moderate. Elaborating on it, he said that countrywide alert will not be put as there is no cause for alarm as of now. However, he added that hospitals and doctors, have been alerted to report if any patient comes with symptoms.