31-May-2022: Update on Monkeypox
In view of the increasing reports of Monkeypox (MPX) cases in non-endemic countries, as part of a proactive and risk-based approach for management of Monkeypox and to ensure advance preparedness across the country, Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has issued ‘Guidelines on Management of Monkeypox Disease’, today. These are available on MoHFW’s website, https://main.mohfw.gov.in/sites/default/files/Guidelines%20for%20Management%20of%20Monkeypox%20Disease.pdf
There are no reported cases of monkey pox disease in India, as on date.
As per the Guidelines, a confirmed case is laboratory confirmed for monkeypox virus by detection of unique sequences of viral DNA either by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and/or sequencing. All the clinical specimens should be transported to the Apex Laboratory of ICMR-NIV (Pune) routed through the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) network of the respective district/state.
The Guidelines on Management of Monkeypox Disease include epidemiology of the disease (including host, incubation period, period of communicability and mode of transmission; contact and case definitions; clinical features and its complication, diagnosis, case management, risk communication, guidance on Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) including use of personal protective equipment.
The guidelines stresses on surveillance and rapid identification of new cases as the key public health measures for outbreak containment, mandating need to reduce the risk of human-to-human transmission. It explains the Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) measures, IPC at home, patient isolation and ambulance transfer strategies, additional precautions that needs to be taken care of and duration of isolation procedures.
As per the Guidelines, contacts should be monitored at least daily for the onset of signs/symptoms for a period of 21 days (as per case definition) from the last contact with a patient or their contaminated materials during the infectious period.
Raising awareness of risk factors under risk communication and preventive measures, the Guidelines further explain in detail about raising awareness and educating people about the measures for Monkeypox virus like avoiding contact with any material of the sick person, isolation of infected patient from others, practicing good hand hygiene and using appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) when caring for patients.
Monkeypox has been reported as endemic in several other central and western African countries such as: Cameroon, Central African Republic, Cote d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Liberia, Nigeria, Republic of the Congo, and Sierra Leone. However, cases have been also reported in certain non-endemic countries e.g. USA, United Kingdom, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Australia, Canada, Austria, Israel, Switzerland etc.
Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare continues to maintain a close watch over the evolving situation.
10-May-2019: Singapore reports first case of rare monkeypox virus
Monkeypox, a virus similar to the human smallpox which was eradicated in 1980, does not spread easily from person to person, but can in rare cases be fatal.
Singapore has reported its first case of the rare monkeypox virus brought in by a Nigerian man who authorities said may have been infected by bushmeat he ate at a wedding. Bushmeat, which can be chimpanzee, gorilla, antelope, birds or rodent, is a staple of some African diets.
Human monkeypox infections have only been documented three times outside of Africa, in the United States, the United Kingdom and Israel, according to the U.S.-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Singapore's Ministry of Health (MOH) said in a statement that the infected patient was a 38-year-old Nigerian who arrived in Singapore in late April. While risk of spread is low, MOH is taking precautions.
Monkeypox typically lasts for two to four weeks, starting as a fever and headache and progressing through to small bumps called pustules that spread over the body.
Sporadic human cases of monkeypox have been reported in west and central Africa since the 1970s, and in 2003, the first cases outside of Africa were reported in the United States. Last September, Britain reported its first cases all linked to travel in Nigeria.