Task Force to monitor Monkeypox situation in India

August 1, 2022

Union Government set up a task force to monitor Monkeypox situation in country. It was created after reporting first death related to monkeypox. The Task force will provide guidance to government with respect to expansion of diagnostic facilities and exploration of vaccination for the disease in India.

Task force will be headed by Dr VK Paul, member (Health) of the NITI Aayog.
Other members include Secretary of Union Health Ministry and member of Pharma and Biotech.

So far, four cases of Monkeypox have been report in India, of which three cases reported in Kerala and one in Delhi. A youth in Kerala with monkeypox-like symptoms lost his life. Following this, a high-level inquiry was initiated by Health Minister Veena George. The youth was found to be positive, during a test conducted outside India. But he sought to be treated in Thrissur. Thus, the team will investigate why there was a delay in treatment.

Monkeypox Cases worldwide:

As per World Health Organization (WHO), over 18,000 cases of Monkeypox have been reported across 78 countries. WHO notes that, outbreak of monkeypox can be stopped if countries, communities and individuals keep informing themselves, take the issue seriously and take measures to stop transmission, in a bid to protect vulnerable groups.

About Monkeypox:

Monkeypox is a zoonotic disease. It is caused due to monkeypox virus. The virus belongs to same family of viruses causing smallpox. It is endemic in regions like West and Central Africa. However, cases are being reported from non-endemic countries as well.

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