The Union Ministry of Health has written to the WHO representative in the UAE to ensure that air passengers showing symptoms of monkeypox are not allowed to board flights to prevent the spread of the disease. can reduce the risk of transmission.
Citing three cases in which travelers came to India from the UAE, Lav Aggarwal, Joint Secretary, Union Ministry of Health, in a letter to the Executive Director and IHR Focal Point, UAE, Dr. Hussain Abdul Rehman Ali Rand. Said they already were. Exhibiting symptoms of monkey disease prior to arrival in India.
Under Article 18 of the International Health Regulations (IHR) 2005, the World Health Organization recommends that Member States implement exit screening measures at points of entry and, if necessary, public declarations of international concern on persons arriving from affected areas. Impose restrictions in response to a health emergency. As mentioned in the August 1st communication.
“In view of the above, it is requested that exit screening be intensified to ensure that persons showing symptoms of monkeypox are not allowed to board the flight so that can reduce the risk of disease transmission.” Agarwal said. The letter, copies of which were sent to the WHO Representative in India, Joint Secretary (Gulf), Ministry of External Affairs and Joint Secretary (U) in the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
As the international community grapples with another public health emergency of international concern, it is imperative that IHR focal points maintain continued coordination and share critical information to prevent the spread of disease across international borders. . Eight cases of monkeypox have been reported in India so far, including one death.
The Center has also constituted a Task Force on Monkey Pox to keep a close eye on the emerging situation in the country and decide on response measures to combat the spread of the disease. It will also provide guidance to the government on expansion of diagnostic facilities in the country and track emerging trends related to vaccination for the disease, official sources told PTI. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared monkeypox a global public health emergency of international concern on 23 July.
According to the WHO, monkeypox is a viral zoonosis – a virus that is transmitted from animals to humans – with symptoms similar to smallpox although clinically less severe. Monkey pox usually presents with fever, rash and swollen lymph nodes and can lead to a variety of medical complications. It is usually a self-limiting illness with symptoms lasting two to four weeks.
The Center’s ‘Guidelines for the Management of Monkey Pox Disease’ states that human-to-human transmission is mainly through large respiratory droplets which usually require prolonged close contact. Is. It can also be spread through direct contact with bodily fluids or wounds, and through indirect contact with wound materials such as contaminated clothing or clothing from an infected person. Animal-to-human transmission can occur through bites or scratches from infected animals or through the preparation of bush meat.
The incubation period is usually six to 13 days, and case fatality rates for monkeypox have historically been as high as 11% in the general population and higher in children. In recent times, the death rate has been around three to six percent. Symptoms include sores that usually begin within one to three days of the onset of fever, which last about two to four weeks and often heal when they become itchy. They are said to be painful. A notable predilection for palms and soles is characteristic of monkey pox, the guidelines state.
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