Amid fears over a potential mpox global outbreak, India held a high-level meeting on Sunday&nbsp;(Aug&nbsp;18) to assess its preparedness.&nbsp;

The latest assessment presented at the crucial meeting led by the Prime Minister's Principal Secretary, P K Mishra, shows that since March 2024, the nation has had no reports of cases of mpox. Furthermore, it was noted that "the risk of a large outbreak with sustained transmission is low".

Also read |&nbsp;<a bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:7,&quot;y&quot;:146,&quot;w&quot;:645,&quot;h&quot;:33,&quot;abs_x&quot;:40,&quot;abs_y&quot;:1896}" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/mpox-crisis-who-pushes-for-mpox-vaccine-production-surge-as-death-toll-in-drc-nears-550-751115">Mpox crisis: WHO pushes for scaling up mpox vaccine production as death toll in DRC nears 550</a>

<h2 bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:7,&quot;y&quot;:199,&quot;w&quot;:649,&quot;h&quot;:26,&quot;abs_x&quot;:40,&quot;abs_y&quot;:1949}">Global mpox scare</h2>

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared mpox a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). As per reports, the virus has already spread to 12 African nations. Moreover, cases have been reported from Pakistan and Sweden. Despite this global alert, at the moment, India remains unaffected by a large-scale outbreak.

<h2 bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:7,&quot;y&quot;:330,&quot;w&quot;:649,&quot;h&quot;:26,&quot;abs_x&quot;:40,&quot;abs_y&quot;:2080}">PM Modi's ongoing oversight</h2>

As per a press release about the high-level meeting, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi "has been continuously monitoring the mpox situation."

It was noted that mpox is generally a self-limiting illness, with symptoms typically lasting two to four weeks. Most patients recover with proper care. The disease mainly spreads through close, prolonged contact with an infected person.

Also read&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:83,&quot;y&quot;:276,&quot;w&quot;:484,&quot;h&quot;:16,&quot;abs_x&quot;:116,&quot;abs_y&quot;:2026}" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/mpox-crisis-virus-cases-logged-in-africa-this-year-exceed-last-years-total-751083">Mpox crisis: Virus cases logged in Africa this year exceed last year's total</a>

To prepare, the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) on August 12 held an expert meeting, where it evaluated the risk for India and outlined the necessary precautions.&nbsp;

"A Communicable Disease (CD) alert on mpox issued earlier by the NCDC is being updated to capture the newer developments," states the press release.

Furthermore, health teams at international airports (Ports of Entry) have been "sensitised".

<h2 bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:7,&quot;y&quot;:623,&quot;w&quot;:649,&quot;h&quot;:26,&quot;abs_x&quot;:40,&quot;abs_y&quot;:2373}">Global mpox data</h2>

Worldwide, the WHO has reported 99,176 mpox cases and 208 deaths across 116 countries since 2022. However, as per latest data, the Democratic Republic of Congo has seen a sharp rise in cases, with over 15,664 suspected cases and 548 deaths this year alone, exceeding last year's figures.

In India, there have been 30 mpox cases since the WHO's Public Health Emergency of International Concern declaration in 2022, with the latest case detected in March 2024.&nbsp;

Amid fears over a potential mpox global outbreak, India held a high-level meeting on Sunday (Aug 18) to assess its preparedness. The latest assessment presented at the crucial meeting led by the Prime Minister's Principal Secretary, P K Mishra, shows that since March 2024, the nation has had no reports of cases of mpox.

Amid fears over a potential mpox global outbreak, India held a high-level meeting on Sunday (Aug 18) to assess its preparedness. The latest assessment presented at the crucial meeting led by the Prime Minister's Principal Secretary, P K Mishra, shows that since March 2024, the nation has had no reports of cases of mpox. Furthermore, it was noted that "the risk of a large outbreak with sustained transmission is low". Also read | Mpox crisis: WHO pushes for scaling up mpox vaccine production as death toll in DRC nears 550 Global mpox scare The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared mpox a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). As per reports, the virus has already spread to 12 African nations. Moreover, cases have been reported from Pakistan and Sweden. Despite this global alert, at the moment, India remains unaffected by a large-scale outbreak. PM Modi's ongoing oversight As per a press release about the high-level meeting, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi "has been continuously monitoring the mpox situation." It was noted that mpox is generally a self-limiting illness, with symptoms typically lasting two to four weeks. Most patients recover with proper care. The disease mainly spreads through close, prolonged contact with an infected person. Also read | Mpox crisis: Virus cases logged in Africa this year exceed last year's total To prepare, the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) on August 12 held an expert meeting, where it evaluated the risk for India and outlined the necessary precautions. "A Communicable Disease (CD) alert on mpox issued earlier by the NCDC is being updated to capture the newer developments," states the press release. Furthermore, health teams at international airports (Ports of Entry) have been "sensitised". Global mpox data Worldwide, the WHO has reported 99,176 mpox cases and 208 deaths across 116 countries since 2022. However, as per latest data, the Democratic Republic of Congo has seen a sharp rise in cases, with over 15,664 suspected cases and 548 deaths this year alone, exceeding last year's figures. In India, there have been 30 mpox cases since the WHO's Public Health Emergency of International Concern declaration in 2022, with the latest case detected in March 2024.

India's mpox update: India safe, no new cases since March; high-level meeting finds ‘low outbreak risk’

The Union Health Ministry has asked all airports as well as authorities at land ports on borders with Bangladesh and Pakistan to remain alert about incoming international passengers reporting Mpox symptoms, official sources said on Sunday.

The ministry has identified three Central government-run hospitals -- Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, Safdarjung and Lady Hardinge -- in the national capital as nodal centres for isolation, management, and treatment of any patient with Mpox.

All state governments have been asked to identify such designated hospitals under their jurisdiction, the sources said.

P K Mishra, the principal secretary to the prime minister, chaired a high-level meeting on Sunday to review the country's preparedness for Mpox amid enhanced surveillance for prompt detection. 
 
Officials said there is no reported case of Mpox in the country as of now. As per the current assessment, the risk of a large outbreak with sustained transmission is low, they said.

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The World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared Mpox a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) in view of its prevalence and spread across many parts of Africa. 
 
"The virus strain this time is different and is more virulent and infectious. But the risk of a large outbreak with sustained transmission is low in the country as per the current assessment," an official source said.

The health ministry has directed officials to enhance surveillance and take effective measures for prompt detection of Mpox cases. It has stressed that the network of testing laboratories should be geared up for early diagnosis of the disease.

At present, 32 laboratories in the country are equipped for testing Mpox.

Mishra&nbsp;said protocols for prevention and treatment of the disease should be disseminated on a large scale, stressing the importance of running an awareness campaign among healthcare providers about the signs and symptoms of the disease and the need for timely notification to the surveillance system.

An earlier statement from the WHO stated that 99,176 cases and 208 deaths had been reported due to Mpox from 116 countries globally since 2022.

Mpox cases have been steadily increasing in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Last year, the number of reported cases around the world increased significantly. This year, the number of cases reported so far has already exceeded last year's total, with more than 15,600 cases and 537 deaths.

Since 2022, around thirty Mpox cases have been reported in India. The last case of Mpox was detected in March 2024.

Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION&nbsp;audience. 
&nbsp;

The Union Health Ministry has asked all airports as well as authorities at land ports on borders with Bangladesh and Pakistan to remain alert about incoming international passengers reporting Mpox symptoms, official sources said on Sunday.

The Union Health Ministry has asked all airports as well as authorities at land ports on borders with Bangladesh and Pakistan to remain alert about incoming international passengers reporting Mpox symptoms, official sources said on Sunday. The ministry has identified three Central government-run hospitals -- Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, Safdarjung and Lady Hardinge -- in the national capital as nodal centres for isolation, management, and treatment of any patient with Mpox. All state governments have been asked to identify such designated hospitals under their jurisdiction, the sources said. P K Mishra, the principal secretary to the prime minister, chaired a high-level meeting on Sunday to review the country's preparedness for Mpox amid enhanced surveillance for prompt detection. Officials said there is no reported case of Mpox in the country as of now. As per the current assessment, the risk of a large outbreak with sustained transmission is low, they said. Also read | India's mpox update: India safe, no new cases since March; high-level meeting finds ‘low outbreak risk’ The World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared Mpox a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) in view of its prevalence and spread across many parts of Africa. "The virus strain this time is different and is more virulent and infectious. But the risk of a large outbreak with sustained transmission is low in the country as per the current assessment," an official source said. The health ministry has directed officials to enhance surveillance and take effective measures for prompt detection of Mpox cases. It has stressed that the network of testing laboratories should be geared up for early diagnosis of the disease. At present, 32 laboratories in the country are equipped for testing Mpox. Mishra said protocols for prevention and treatment of the disease should be disseminated on a large scale, stressing the importance of running an awareness campaign among healthcare providers about the signs and symptoms of the disease and the need for timely notification to the surveillance system. An earlier statement from the WHO stated that 99,176 cases and 208 deaths had been reported due to Mpox from 116 countries globally since 2022. Mpox cases have been steadily increasing in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Last year, the number of reported cases around the world increased significantly. This year, the number of cases reported so far has already exceeded last year's total, with more than 15,600 cases and 537 deaths. Since 2022, around thirty Mpox cases have been reported in India. The last case of Mpox was detected in March 2024. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Mpox scare: Indian govt tells international airports to be vigilant about passengers with symptoms

An outbreak of mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, has claimed more than 500 lives in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), as per reports.&nbsp;

The virus, which is rapidly spreading to neighbouring countries, has prompted fears of a global health crisis, even as over seven million displaced high-risk people in the DRC await vaccine.

<h2 bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:7,&quot;y&quot;:116,&quot;w&quot;:649,&quot;h&quot;:26,&quot;abs_x&quot;:40,&quot;abs_y&quot;:1866}">Mpox deaths in DRC</h2>

According to a China Central Television report citing Health Minister Roger Kamba, since the beginning of 2024, the DRC has reported 15,664 suspected cases and 548 deaths.

The country has been grappling with the ongoing outbreak since late 2022, but the emergence of a more lethal variant, Clade 1b — which has a mortality rate of 3.6 per cent — has exacerbated the situation.

Also read&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:83,&quot;y&quot;:276,&quot;w&quot;:484,&quot;h&quot;:16,&quot;abs_x&quot;:116,&quot;abs_y&quot;:2026}" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/mpox-crisis-virus-cases-logged-in-africa-this-year-exceed-last-years-total-751083">Mpox crisis: Virus cases logged in Africa this year exceed last year's total</a>

<h2 bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:7,&quot;y&quot;:311,&quot;w&quot;:649,&quot;h&quot;:26,&quot;abs_x&quot;:40,&quot;abs_y&quot;:2061}">Challenges in DRC displacement camps</h2>

In DRC, as per AFP, the situation is particularly dire in makeshift camps. These camps, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, house at least 7.3 million internally displaced people, and are hence overcrowded. These conditions heighten the risk of transmission.&nbsp;

Contagious people continue to stay in close quarters, despite the risks, as health workers struggle to enforce prevention measures.

"My son was hospitalised here for mpox, and my daughter was looking after him. After they got out on a Sunday, my daughter began showing the same symptoms by Wednesday," said Deogracias Mahombi Sekabanza, a health worker from Goma.

Furaha Makambo, a mother of three, shared her fears from a nearby tent where her children sleep together, making it impossible to prevent cross-infection. "We are scared, this disease needs to be eradicated so that it stops reaching the displaced because it can exterminate us," she said while speaking to AFP.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/mpox-crisis-updates-pakistan-adopts-safety-measures-who-says-no-need-to-close-borders-750836">Mpox crisis updates: Pakistan adopts safety measures; WHO says no need to close borders</a>

<h2 bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:7,&quot;y&quot;:623,&quot;w&quot;:649,&quot;h&quot;:26,&quot;abs_x&quot;:40,&quot;abs_y&quot;:2373}">Global health emergency and vaccine urgency</h2>

The World Health Organization (WHO) on Wednesday (August 14) declared the mpox surge a public health emergency of international concern — its highest alert level as the virus spreads beyond the DRC. Already, 12 African countries and nations outside Africa, like Pakistan and&nbsp;Sweden, have reported&nbsp;cases.&nbsp;

The WHO on Friday (August 16) urged vaccine manufacturers to increase production of mpox vaccines.

"We do need the manufacturers to really scale up so that we've got access to many, many more vaccines," said WHO spokeswoman Margaret Harris, while talking to reporters.

The international health agency has also called on countries to donate stockpiles to those affected by the outbreak.&nbsp;

The charity, Doctors Without Borders, also said that countries with vaccine stockpiles but no outbreaks "must donate as many doses as possible" to affected countries in Africa.

(With inputs from agencies)

An outbreak of mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, has claimed more than 500 lives in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), as per reports. The virus, which is rapidly spreading to neighbouring countries, has prompted fears of a global health crisis, even as over seven million displaced high-risk people in the DRC await vaccine.

An outbreak of mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, has claimed more than 500 lives in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), as per reports. The virus, which is rapidly spreading to neighbouring countries, has prompted fears of a global health crisis, even as over seven million displaced high-risk people in the DRC await vaccine. Mpox deaths in DRC According to a China Central Television report citing Health Minister Roger Kamba, since the beginning of 2024, the DRC has reported 15,664 suspected cases and 548 deaths. The country has been grappling with the ongoing outbreak since late 2022, but the emergence of a more lethal variant, Clade 1b — which has a mortality rate of 3.6 per cent — has exacerbated the situation. Also read | Mpox crisis: Virus cases logged in Africa this year exceed last year's total Challenges in DRC displacement camps In DRC, as per AFP, the situation is particularly dire in makeshift camps. These camps, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, house at least 7.3 million internally displaced people, and are hence overcrowded. These conditions heighten the risk of transmission. Contagious people continue to stay in close quarters, despite the risks, as health workers struggle to enforce prevention measures. "My son was hospitalised here for mpox, and my daughter was looking after him. After they got out on a Sunday, my daughter began showing the same symptoms by Wednesday," said Deogracias Mahombi Sekabanza, a health worker from Goma. Furaha Makambo, a mother of three, shared her fears from a nearby tent where her children sleep together, making it impossible to prevent cross-infection. "We are scared, this disease needs to be eradicated so that it stops reaching the displaced because it can exterminate us," she said while speaking to AFP. Also read | Mpox crisis updates: Pakistan adopts safety measures; WHO says no need to close borders Global health emergency and vaccine urgency The World Health Organization (WHO) on Wednesday (August 14) declared the mpox surge a public health emergency of international concern — its highest alert level as the virus spreads beyond the DRC. Already, 12 African countries and nations outside Africa, like Pakistan and Sweden, have reported cases. The WHO on Friday (August 16) urged vaccine manufacturers to increase production of mpox vaccines. "We do need the manufacturers to really scale up so that we've got access to many, many more vaccines," said WHO spokeswoman Margaret Harris, while talking to reporters. The international health agency has also called on countries to donate stockpiles to those affected by the outbreak. The charity, Doctors Without Borders, also said that countries with vaccine stockpiles but no outbreaks "must donate as many doses as possible" to affected countries in Africa. (With inputs from agencies)

Mpox crisis: WHO pushes for scaling up mpox vaccine production as death toll in DRC nears 550

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) said on Saturday (Aug 18) that the total number of suspected or confirmed cases of mpox, logged across the continent since the beginning of this year, has already exceeded the total reported in 2023.

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) said on Saturday (Aug 18) that the total number of suspected or confirmed cases of mpox, logged across the continent since the beginning of this year, has already exceeded the total reported in 2023. As of Saturday, 12 of the African Union's 55 member states have experienced mpox outbreaks, with a total of 18,737 cases reported since the beginning of 2024. The figure includes 3,101 confirmed cases, 15,636 suspected cases, and 541 fatalities, with a mortality rate of 2.89 per cent. In 2023, a little over 14,300 cases of mpox were seen The latest cases include 3 strains of mpox The latest cases include three strains of the virus. One of these strains is the deadly Clade 1b which began spreading in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in September 2023, and the country remains the epicenter of the current global outbreak. Also read | Mpox crisis updates: Pakistan adopts safety measures; WHO says no need to close borders Presently, the mpox outbreak has spread beyond Africa, with confirmed cases reported in Sweden and Pakistan. Earlier this week, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the rise in monkeypox cases a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC). More imported cases of mpox strain in Europe expected On Friday, the European Centre for Disease Prevention (European CDC) and Control warned that more cases of mpox clade I strain would appear in the continent in the coming weeks but the risk of sustained transmission remained low. "There will be more cases in the coming weeks. That's the expectation... But regarding the risk [for the] general European population, we have to say that our assessment is that the risk is very low at the moment," European CDC Director Pamela Rendi-Wagner said. Also watch | ECDC in EU ups Mpox risk from 'low' to 'moderate' × She called for European countries to step up preparedness and raise awareness to prevent further spread. The European CDC recommended that public health authorities plan and prepare for quick detection of any clade I cases that may reach Europe. (With inputs from agencies)

Mpox crisis: Virus cases logged in Africa this year exceed last year's total

The African Union's health authority has declared a public health emergency in response to the escalating MPOX outbreak. Watch in for more details.

Mpox in Africa: New MPOX strain stirs public health emergency in Africa

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India's mpox update: India safe, no new cases since March; high-level meeting finds ‘low outbreak risk’

Mpox scare: Indian govt tells international airports to be vigilant about passengers with symptoms

Mpox crisis: WHO pushes for scaling up mpox vaccine production as death toll in DRC nears 550

Mpox crisis: Virus cases logged in Africa this year exceed last year's total

Mpox in Africa: New MPOX strain stirs public health emergency in Africa