NEW DELHI: In response to the World Health Organization (WHO) declaring Monkeypox a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda convened a critical meeting on Saturday to assess and enhance India's preparedness for the viral disease.

The meeting brought together officials from the Health Ministry, the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) to review current measures and formulate new strategies.

Key decisions from the meeting included increasing awareness and readiness at airports, seaports, and border crossings. The authorities will ensure that testing laboratories are prepared, and healthcare facilities are equipped to detect, isolate, and manage any potential cases of Monkeypox.

According to a statement from the Health Ministry, Monkeypox infections typically resolve on their own within 2 to 4 weeks with supportive care. Transmission of the virus usually requires prolonged close contact with an infected individual, often through sexual contact or direct exposure to bodily fluids or contaminated materials.

Despite the WHO's declaration, India has not reported any recent cases of Monkeypox. The last case occurred in Kerala in March of this year. Officials acknowledged the possibility of isolated imported cases but emphasized that the current risk in India remains low and there is no immediate cause for concern.

This marks the second instance the WHO has declared Monkeypox a PHEIC. Common symptoms of the disease include a skin rash or mucosal lesions lasting 2 to 4 weeks, alongside fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, fatigue, and swollen lymph nodes. Confirmatory diagnosis is conducted through PCR testing of skin lesion samples.

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