The Centre has instructed all states and Union territories to identify medical facilities and
trained personnel to manage both suspected and confirmed mpox cases, following India’s first
reported case of a highly transmissible strain. In a letter, Union Health Secretary Apurva
Chandra emphasized the need to send skin lesion samples from suspected cases to designated
labs. Positive samples will be sent to the Indian Council of Medical Research-National
Institute of Virology (ICMR-NIV) for genome sequencing to identify the virus strain.
Chandra noted that the World Health Organization (WHO) declared mpox (formerly
Monkeypox) a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) on August 14,
- This marks the second such emergency related to mpox under the International Health
Regulations, 2005, which India adheres to. The 2024 outbreak is linked to Clade 1, a more
virulent and transmissible strain than Clade 2, which caused a similar emergency in 2022.
States have been urged to ramp up public awareness, focusing on the disease’s transmission,
prevention, and the importance of timely reporting. They have also been asked to assess their
preparedness at the state and district levels, identify isolation facilities, and ensure the
availability of trained staff and essential logistics.
Diagnostic testing capabilities are robust, with 36 labs supported by ICMR and three PCR
kits approved by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO). Chandra
reassured that by following preventive measures and treatment guidelines, India can
minimize the spread and impact of mpox. The Health Ministry will continue to monitor the
situation and provide necessary support to all states and Union territories.
