The Centre has asked the States and Union territories to screen and test all suspected cases of Mpox, previously known as Monkeypox, in the country. Union Health Secretary Apurva Chandra issued an advisory to the States in light of the WHO’s declaration of a Public Health Emergency of International Concern related to Mpox.
In the advisory, the Ministry emphasized the need to raise awareness about Mpox, ensure timely reporting, and adopt preventive measures to avoid undue panic among the public. The Ministry also advised senior officials to review public health preparedness, particularly at the health facility level in the States and Districts.