Delhi: In response to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recent declaration of a global emergency due to the monkeypox outbreak, India has heightened its alert status. A high-level review meeting, chaired by Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, PK Mishra, was convened to assess the situation and bolster preventive measures.
Government sources confirmed that no cases of monkeypox have been reported in India, and the risk of a large-scale outbreak remains low. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is closely monitoring the situation, ensuring timely updates and responses.
Globally, monkeypox cases have surged in African countries, with the total reaching 18,737. The WHO is set to release recommendations from its emergency committee soon to address the spread of the virus. The situation has prompted urgent discussions in Zimbabwe, where African nations reviewed the ongoing crisis. The outbreak has resulted in 541 deaths, with 96% of cases and fatalities concentrated in Congo, where the mortality rate stands at 2.8%.
In addition to Africa, monkeypox cases have been detected in Pakistan and Sweden, indicating a growing international concern over the virus’s spread.
