Health authorities in Kashmir review Mpox preparedness

Srinagar, Sept 27: On the directives of Secretary Health & Medical Education, Dr. Syed Abid Rasheed Shah, Director Health Services Kashmir (DHSK), Dr. Jehangir Bakshi, chaired a crucial meeting today to assess the preparedness for Monkeypox (Mpox) in the Kashmir division. The meeting included divisional officers, Chief Medical Officers, Medical Superintendents, Epidemiology staff, and the State Surveillance Unit (SSU) IDSP staff, with participation through virtual mode.
A spokesperson for DHSK stated that the director emphasized stockpiling essential materials for Mpox management and identifying dedicated isolation facilities and beds. Dr. Bakshi highlighted the importance of meticulous surveillance, early diagnosis, and prompt management as Mpox cases are being reported in India.
Dr. Omair Wani, Consultant at the State Surveillance Unit (IDSP), delivered a comprehensive presentation on Mpox management, detailing public health response strategies and surveillance measures vital for containing the disease.
In August, the Health Department of Kashmir provided healthcare professionals with training on basic control measures to handle potential Mpox outbreaks. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared Mpox a public health emergency in Africa last month. The virus is an enveloped, double-stranded DNA virus of the Orthopoxvirus genus, with two distinct clades.
In 2022, a global outbreak of the fast-spreading ‘clade 1b’ began, which continues today. Mpox primarily spreads through close contact, with common symptoms including fever, sore throat, headache, swollen lymph nodes, and muscle aches.
So far, India has reported two cases of Mpox, both in Kerala. On September 23, India’s first confirmed case involved a man infected with the clade 1b strain. Another case has since been reported in the same state.