Urgent Call to Action: Prithviraj Chavan Demands Rigorous Monkeypox Testing and Quarantine Protocols at Mumbai Airport
Congress Leader Urges Stringent Protocols for Monkeypox at Mumbai Airport Amid Global Concerns
Mumbai—With growing anxieties over Monkeypox, Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan has called on Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde to implement rigorous testing and quarantine measures at Mumbai airport. Chavan’s request follows the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) declaration of Monkeypox as a public health emergency, especially as the virus has now spread to neighboring Pakistan.
Chavan emphasized the need for prompt action, stating, "It has reached our neighbourhood. We have to act." He urged that all passengers arriving from high-risk countries undergo strict testing and quarantine to mitigate the potential spread of the virus in India.
While the Union Health Ministry confirmed there are currently no reported cases of Monkeypox in India, they acknowledged the necessity for precautionary measures. The ministry noted the low risk of a significant outbreak but didn’t dismiss the possibility of detecting a few imported cases in the upcoming weeks.
During a meeting led by Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda, it was highlighted that Monkeypox infections are usually self-limiting, lasting between 2-4 weeks, and patients typically recover with supportive care. Transmission generally requires prolonged, close contact and can occur through the sexual route, direct contact with an infected person’s body fluids, or contaminated materials.
The WHO initially declared Monkeypox a Public Health Emergency of International Concern in July 2022 but revoked the status in May 2023. Since 2022, WHO has documented 99,176 cases and 208 deaths across 116 countries. In India, 30 cases have been recorded since the WHO’s 2022 declaration, with the last identified case in March 2024.
Chavan’s appeal for immediate measures aims to safeguard public health and curtail the virus’s potential spread in India.
Original Story https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/monkeypox-prithviraj-chavan-demands-strict-testing-quarantine-protocol-at-mumbai-airport-101723949348429.html
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