Lok Sabha Question No. 2165 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-15
Subject: Cases of Monkeypox
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Beesetti  Venkata Satyavathi

## GOVERNMENTOFINDIA MINISTRYOF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH ANDFAMILYWELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2165 TO BE ANSWERED ON 15.12.2023

## CASES OF MONKEYPOX

## 2165. DR. BEESETTI VENKATASATYAVATHI:

Will the Minister of HEALTHANDFAMILYWELFARE be pleased to state:

- (a) the number of monkeypox cases reported in the country during the last three years, year-wise;
- (b) whether the Government has taken/proposes to take any steps to tackle the current monkeypox outbreak in the country;
- (c) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (d) whether the Government has taken/proposes to take any steps to create awareness about the monkeypox outbreak especially in rural and remote areas of the country; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (PROF. SATYA PAL SINGH BAGHEL)

(a): As on 8 th December, 2023, twenty seven confirmed cases (including one death) of Monkeypox disease, twelve cases (including one death) from Kerala and fifteen cases from Delhi have been reported by the States and UTs in the country. Twenty three cases were reported in the year 2022 & four cases were reported in the year 2023.

(b) to (e): The World Health Organization, in the light of declining trajectory of the disease globally has withdrawn the Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) status of Monkeypox outbreak on 11 th May, 2023. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has taken a number of steps to minimize the risk of disease importation as well as to strengthen requisite public health and clinical interventions for management of Monkeypox disease. Some of the key measures are as detailed below:

 MoHFW released 'Guidelines on Management of Monkeypox Disease' which may please be seen at https://ncdc.mohfw.gov.in/showfile.php?lid=852 . This was widely circulated to all States/UTs. The guidelines cover all aspects of management of Monkeypox including case definitions, surveillance strategies, clinical management, infection prevention and control, risk communication.

-  The State/District Surveillance Officers (SSOs) under Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) of all States/UTs have been instructed to intensify surveillance activities for Monkeypox disease.
-  NIV Pune (BSL-4 laboratory) under ICMR has been designated as a referral laboratory for testing of suspected cases. In addition, 17 other ICMR-VRDL network laboratories have been operationalized to undertake diagnostic testing for Monkeypox disease. Instructions on sample packaging and transport have been shared with all States/UTs.
-  All Airport/Port Health Officers were instructed to remain vigilant and undertake rigorous health screening of incoming international passengers.
-  Whenever such cases were reported, MoHFW issued Communicable Diseases Alert on Monkeypox which may be seen at https://ncdc.mohfw.gov.in/showfile.php?lid=887. Emergency Operation Centre was also activated to maintain the situation.
-  A National Task Force on Monkeypox Disease has been constituted to monitor the development of diagnostics and vaccines for management of Monkeypox disease.
-  The Government has taken steps to create awareness about the Monkeypox outbreak especially in rural and remote areas of the country. Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials have been developed by the MoHFW both in Hindi & English language and circulated to create awareness about common symptoms, need for immediate reporting of suspect cases, and its prevention for the community.
-  Central Teams were also deployed on detection of confirmed cases to affected districts to assist control and containment efforts by the State Health Authorities.
-  Union Health Ministry is in regular interaction with all States/UTs and has advised all the States /UTs for requisite public health actions that needs to be taken for control and containment of the outbreak.

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