No case of monkeypox reported in India; health experts call for caution

New Delhi: No suspected case of monkeypox has been detected in India so far.
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Talking to a news agency, Dr. NK Arora, Chairperson of the COVID working group, NTAGI, said, “Monkeypox is not as contagious or severe as COVID.
However, its spread is a matter of concern. No suspect cases have been reported in India so far.”

The expert informed that the Centre has set up a committee for surveillance of Monkeypox cases in India.

“The government has set up a committee expert committee for surveillance which is similar to that during COVID-19,” he said.

“It is likely to have more severe outcomes in those who are immunocompromised or have other diseases,” Dr. Arora said cautioning people not to take it lightly.

He further asked to be vigilant for those who are traveling from those countries which have reported monkeypox, “We’ll have to be careful about people traveling from outside, particularly from those countries.”

Monkeypox has been reported in 20 countries including the USA, UK, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, and Italy among others. This is one of the biggest outbreaks of the virus outside of West Africa.

Monkeypox is a rare viral disease that occurs predominately in central and west Africa. Most of its infections last two to four weeks and result in swelling of the lymph nodes as well as a widespread rash on the body.