Monkeypox outbreak: Tamil Nadu Health dept issues health advisory

CHENNAI: After the World Health Organisation declared Monkeypox (Mpox) outbreak a Public Health Emergency of international concern, the Director of Public Health and Preventive Medicine has instructed the district health officers, airport and port health officers on on prevention and control of monkeypox infection. 

The guidelines by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, have also been issued in 2022. DPH stated that Mpox has been called a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) for the second time in two years, following an outbreak of the viral infection in the Democratic Republic of Congo that has spread to neighbouring countries of Africa.

Mpox (monkeypox) is a viral illness caused by the monkeypox virus, a species of the genus Orthopoxvirus. Two different clades exist: clade I and clade II. Common symptoms of mpox are a skin rash or mucosal lesions, which can last 2-4 weeks accompanied by fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, low energy, and swollen lymph nodes.

Mpox can be transmitted to humans through physical contact with someone who is infectious, with contaminated materials, or with infected animals. Laboratory confirmation of mpox is done by testing skin lesion material by PCR.

The current upsurge of Mpox in parts of Africa, along with the spread of a new sexually transmissible strain clade I of the monkeypox virus, is an emergency, not only for Africa but for the entire globe. So far, no cases have been reported in Tamil Nadu. However, in view of the increasing reports of cases in non-endemic countries, the guidelines have been issued as a preventive measure.

Mpox can be prevented by avoiding physical contact with someone who has mpox. Vaccination can help prevent infection for people at risk. A person of any age having history of travel to affected countries within the last 21 days presenting with an unexplained acute rash and one or more of the following signs or symptoms: Some of these symptoms include swollen lymph nodes, fever, headache, body aches and profound weakness should be suspected of Mpox.

All the district health officers have been instructed to be vigil and immediately report any suspected cases reported in their jurisdiction as well as to sensitise the government and private Medical practitioners about Mpox. Suspected cases to be referred to the tertiary care centres for management and samples should be sent to State Public Health Laboratory, Chennai.

Meanwhile, Airport and Port Health officials have been asked to stay alert, particularly for the passengers arriving from Democratic Republic of Congo and countries of Central Africa. They have been asked to familiarize with clinical presentation of monkey pox and undertake strict thermal screening and history of travel to affected countries in last 21 days.

They should also establish and strengthen referral arrangements from airport or port to identified hospitals.

The officials should also familiarize the Bureau of Immigration personnel, airline personnel and any state health personnel deployed with them about the disease. Meanwhile, concerned airlines should be informed about detection of a suspected case for the purpose of disinfection procedures to be followed as per standard guidelines.