Lok Sabha Question No. 3215 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-13
Subject: Spread of Monkeypox
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Baijayant Panda

## GOVERNMENTOFINDIA MINISTRY OFHEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENT OFHEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3215 TO BE ANSWERED ON 13.12.2024

## SPREAD OFMONKEYPOX

## 3215. SHRI BAIJAYANT PANDA:

Will the Minister of Health and Family Welfare be pleased to state:-

- (a) the number of active Monkeypox cases reported across the country as per latest data;
- (b) the specific measures taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to control its spread;
- (c) whether the Government has done any collaboration with international health organisations to address the outbreak and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) whether any actions are being undertaken to strengthen the monitoring of Monkeypox cases across the country particularly in rural areas and if so, the details thereof, State/UTwise?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI PRATAPRAO JADHAV)

- (a): As per latest data, there is no active Monkeypox (Mpox) cases across the country. However, since 2022, Thirty-three (33) confirmed cases of Mpox (17 cases from Kerala and 16 cases from Delhi) have been reported by the States and UTs in the country.
- (b) to (d): 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 Mpox disease. Some of the key measures are as detailed below:
-  MoHFW released 'Guidelines on Management of Mpox Disease' which may please be seen at https://mohfw.gov.in/sites/default/files/Guidelines%20for%20Management%20of%20Monke ypox%20Disease.pdf. This was widely circulated to all States/UTs. The guidelines cover all aspects of management of Mpox 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 Mpox 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 Mpox disease. Instructions on sample packaging and transport have been shared with all States/UTs.
-  All Airport/Port Health Officers have been instructed to remain vigilant and undertake rigorous health screening of incoming international passengers.
-  MoHFW has issued Communicable Diseases Alert on Mpox which may be seen at https://ncdc.mohfw.gov.in/cd-alert/. Emergency Operation Centre was also activated to maintain the situation.
-  A National Task Force on Mpox Disease has been constituted to monitor the development of diagnostics and vaccines for management of Mpox disease.
-  The Government has taken steps to create awareness about the Mpox 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 have also been deployed on detection of confirmed cases to affected districts to assist control and containment efforts by the State Health Authorities.
-  Union Health Ministry has been in regular interaction with all States/UTs and meetings held by Secretary, Health & Family Welfare and Senior Officials of MoHFW, Government of India wherein States and UTs were advised to take requisite public health actions for control and containment of the outbreak.

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