What the Health Minister Said in Parliament Regarding Monkeypox
Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Tuesday urged people not to worry in the light of the country’s increasing monkeypox cases and mentioned that a campaign to raise awareness is being undertaken in conjunction with the state governments to stop the infection’s spread.
The Union Minister remarked today in Rajya Sabha during the ongoing Monsoon session of the Parliament, “There is no reason to fear monkeypox because a public awareness campaign is being carried out in conjunction with state governments: Public knowledge is crucial in the context of monkeypox. On behalf of the Indian government, we have also established a task team that will be led by a member of NITI Aayog.”
“On the basis of the observations of the task force, we will assess and study the further action to be taken. If the state government of Kerala needs any kind of help from the Central government, it will be given. Also, an expert team of the Central government is guiding the state government from time to time,” he said.
The Union Minister emphasised that India had begun preparations before cases of (monkeypox) began to spread over the globe. “We had provided directions to all the states before the first case in Kerala,” he said.
According to the health minister, it has been requested in writing by international governments that screening reports for travellers be forwarded to the appropriate authorities.
“The spread can be stopped by keeping a distance from him for 12–13 days if someone in the family has had monkeypox. We can effectively handle it with constant care, “added said.
Highlighting that the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) is willing to make available a vaccine to contain the impact of Monkeypox, the minister said, “For the first time in the country, the Monkeypox virus strain has been isolated by the ICMR-National Institute of Virology, Pune. The institution has invited an Expression of Interest (EOI), proposing to hand over the strain to industry partners for the development of indigenous vaccine and diagnostic kits for the disease.”
Another case of monkeypox has been verified in Kerala after a UAE returnee tested positive today, days after one individual with symptoms similar to those of the disease passed away in the state. This is the state’s fifth instance of the viral illness thus far.
According to Kerala’s Health Minister Veena George, the 30-year-old patient is currently receiving treatment at Malappuram.
Following the death of one person with symptoms like the monkey pox, twenty persons have been placed under quarantine in the Thrissur region of the state, according to officials on Monday.
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