Mpox Threat: Indian Airports, Borders On Alert

New Delhi: The Mpox threat is growing.

Even though there is no reported case of the deadly virus at this moment in India, the Centre has started taking measures in the wake of rising Mpox cases globally, and even being detected in neighbouring Pakistan.

The Union Health Ministry has instructed airports and port authorities at Bangladesh and Pakistan borders to remain vigilant for international passengers showing Mpox symptoms, PTI reported.

Three Delhi hospitals — Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, Safdarjung Hospital and Lady Hardinge Medical College — have been designated as nodal centres for the isolation, management and treatment of Mpox, if and when the need arises.

State governments have been asked to identify similar facilities under their jurisdiction.

Union Health minister J P Nadda and P K Mishra, Principal Secretary to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, held high-level meetings in the last two days to assess India’s preparedness for Mpox, even though the risk of a large outbreak with sustained transmission is low as per current assessment.

Over 15,600 cases of Mpox and 537 deaths have been reported this year globally, already surpassing last year’s numbers.

Congo and some other African countries were the most affected, but the virus has recently been reported from Sweden and Pakistan for the first time.