Central government alerts airports, ports, and borders amid global mpox surge

In response to the global rise in Mpox cases, the central government has instructed airports, ports, and border authorities to remain vigilant. According to sources, the Union Health Ministry has alerted entry points, including borders with Bangladesh and Pakistan, and prepared three central hospitals—Safdarjung, Ram Manohar Lohia, and Lady Hardinge—for potential isolation cases.

Officials told ANI  that the ministry held meetings with experts to address the new virus strain, which differs from the previous Monkeypox virus. The National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and state authorities have been briefed, with testing facilities available at 32 ICMR centres across India.

Despite the high mortality rate associated with Mpox, sources noted that the likelihood of a significant outbreak in India remains low. The virus, which causes symptoms similar to chickenpox, is typically self-limiting and does not have a correlation with COVID-19. Transmission occurs through close contact, including sexual contact, and direct contact with bodily fluids or lesions.

Recent actions by the Health Ministry include meetings with experts and health teams at international airports, as well as enhanced surveillance and public awareness campaigns. The ministry has also prepared prevention and treatment protocols to be disseminated to healthcare providers nationwide.