Almost a week ago, Centre had asked strict screening at all entry points in the country. The government, after a high level meeting, instructed airports to conduct screening of international passengers to contain spread of the diseases in the country.
New Delhi: After reports of three monkeypox cases from Kerala, Delhi on Sunday found first case. As per the report, a 31-year-old man with no foreign travel history has been detected with monkeypox virus. With this, a total of four monkeypox cases have been found in the country.
According to the initial reports, the man who has been diagnosed with monkeypox case had gone to Manali town in Himachal Pradesh to attend an event. The patient, a resident of West Delhi, was admitted at a hospital three days back after symptoms of monkeypox diseases. His samples were sent to the National Institute of Virology where his report confirmed the disease.
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To review the situation Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has convened a high level meeting of concerned officials. The Delhi agencies are also reviewing preparedness to tackle the situation if number of cases rise.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, in a tweet, also confirmed diagnosis of first case of monkeypox in the national capital. He, however, asked people not to panick. The Delhi CM, in a tweet, said: The first case of Monkeypox was detected in Delhi. The patient is stable and recovering. There’s no need to panic. The situation is under control. We have made a separate isolation ward at LNJP. Our best team is on the case to prevent the spread and protect Delhiites.”
Almost a week ago, Centre had asked strict screening at all entry points in the country. The government, after a high level meeting, instructed airports to conduct screening of international passengers to contain spread of the diseases in the country.
The Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare had reviewed the functioning of health screening of international travellers arriving in India at airports and ports.
The meeting was attended by Airport and Port Health Officers (APHOs/PHOs) and Regional Directors from Regional Offices of Health & Family Welfare. They were advised to ensure strict health screening of all arriving international travellers which can minimize the risk of importation of monkeypox cases into the country.
Also Read: Monkeypox in India: Kerala reports country’s first case, 35-year-old man had come from UAE
They were advised and re-oriented in clinical presentation of monkeypox disease as per MoHFW’s ‘Guidelines for Management of Monkeypox Disease’.
They were also advised to coordinate with other stakeholder agencies like Immigration at international ports and airports to streamline health screening processes besides ensuring suitable linkages with hospital facilities earmarked to each port of entry for timely referral and isolation. The meeting was attended by senior officials from International Health Division, and Disaster Management Cell.
Earlier in the day, a man from Kerala was tested positive. He is being treated at a hospital in Kannur where his condition is stable.
Last week, India’s first case of monkeypox was reported in Kerala who had reached the capital of the state three days back from the UAE. While a team from the Centre had rushed to Kerala, people who had come in contact with the 35-year-old man were warned.
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The team from the Centre had comprised experts from the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Dr RML Hospital, New Delhi and senior officials from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare along with experts from the Regional Office of Health and Family Welfare of Kerala.
