The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare issued an advisory to the states and Union Territories on 9th September about increasing monkeypox cases. Union Health Secretary Apurva Chandra has been at the forefront. According to a Government report, most monkeypox cases are prevalent among young males with an average age of 34 years.
This advisory is issued in line with WHO’s declaration of a Public Health Emergency of International Concern related to monkeypox. Globally, the average age and sex distribution remains stable. According to WHO’s data, 79.4% of reported monkeypox cases are of males between 18 to 44 years. This data is similar to 2023 where 96.4% of cases were male with a median age of 34 years. As per another global report, more than 80% of the cases are patients who have had sex with other men at some point.
A study published in the World Journal of Emergency Medicine revealed that in urban areas, 95.7% of monkeypox cases are of males, and 2.3% of cases are females. However, in rural areas, the number of male cases decreases marginally to 94.7%. 4.6% of cases are of females. Considering the modes of transmission, sexual contact is the most common one. Person-to-person non-sexual contact followed the former.
Read about ‘FOOD HEALS REPORT 2024’
Directive to states and UTs about monkeypox cases
Along with the advisory by the union health ministry, the centre has also issued a directive to the states and UTs. States and UTs are directed to do screening, testing and contact tracing of all the suspected cases. Besides, they should identify hospitals and prepare high-quality isolation facilities for suspected as well as confirmed cases.
Monkeypox and its symptoms
The central government directive said that symmetrical and genital rashes and fever are the most common symptoms.
Status in India
Although there are no confirmed cases in India yet, early preparedness is crucial. Besides, a man who returned from a country where confirmed cases have been reported was isolated. His condition is stable. The Union Health Ministry took it to X and posted about this, writing, “A suspected Mpox case is currently under investigation. The patient is put under isolation. No cause for alarm. (With the hashtag health for all).”
No Comment! Be the first one.