Chhattisgarh on High Alert as Monkeypox Cases Rise Nationwide; Health Minister Orders Strict Adherence to Prevention Guidelines

Raipur: An alert has been issued in Chhattisgarh in the wake of the rising cases of Monkeypox (Mpox) across the country. Chhattisgarh Health Minister Shyam Bihari Jaiswal has instructed health officials across all districts to strictly adhere to the guidelines outlined in the advisory issued for the prevention and control of the disease.
The Director-General of Health Services, Government of India, Department of Health and Family Welfare, has released an advisory for the prevention and control of Monkeypox (Mpox).
The Health Minister, taking cognizance of the disease, has directed health department officials to organize camps in all development blocks and especially in village panchayats to raise awareness among citizens about Mpox, its transmission, and preventive measures. He has also emphasized the importance of strictly adhering to all necessary guidelines provided in the advisory issued by the Department of Health and Family Welfare.
Guidelines have been issued for the surveillance of potential Monkeypox cases. According to these guidelines, suspected cases must be isolated to prevent the spread of infection, treated promptly, and contacts of the patients identified. Health workers must be alerted to the risk of infection, and effective measures must be taken to control and prevent the spread of the disease.

The surveillance guidelines also mandate the use of standard definitions and require the reporting of each suspected case to the district or state surveillance unit. Any confirmed case should be followed by an immediate and detailed outbreak investigation by the district-level rapid response team, with reports sent to the state office. Samples for suspected cases must be collected according to the prescribed procedure and sent to designated laboratories for testing. A contact tracing team will be formed in each district under the District Surveillance Officer to identify all contacts of each positive Monkeypox patient. Contacts should be monitored daily for fever or rashes for 21 days after exposure to the Monkeypox patient. Contacts should be advised to avoid donating blood, organs, tissues, or semen for 21 days, and healthcare workers who have come into contact with a Monkeypox patient or their contaminated materials without protective equipment should be monitored for 21 days. However, asymptomatic healthcare workers should not be restricted from performing medical duties.






On August 14, 2024, the World Health Organization declared Monkeypox a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). Considering the spread of the infection in various countries, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, has issued detailed guidelines for surveillance, testing, and treatment. Accordingly, guidelines for the surveillance, rapid identification, testing, and treatment of Monkeypox cases have also been issued in the state of Chhattisgarh.
Monkeypox is a zoonotic disease primarily found in Central and West Africa. However, in the current scenario, cases have been reported in some other countries, and Kerala in India reported cases in March 2024.
Symptoms of Monkeypox Individuals infected with Monkeypox typically experience fever, rashes, and swollen lymph nodes. Monkeypox is a self-limiting infection, with symptoms generally resolving within 2-4 weeks.
Mortality Rate of Monkeypox Severe cases of Monkeypox are generally found in children. The mortality rate in severe cases and complications ranges from 1% to 10%. The incubation period for Monkeypox infection and symptom onset is typically 6-13 days but can vary from 5 to 25 days. The infection can spread from 1-2 days before the appearance of rashes to the time when all scabs have fallen off. It can be transmitted to those who come into contact with an infected person during this period.

Transmission from Animals to Humans and Humans to Humans The Monkeypox virus can spread from animals to humans and from humans to humans. Human-to-human transmission primarily occurs through large respiratory droplets during prolonged close contact with an infected person. The virus can also spread through direct contact with bodily fluids, lesions, or contaminated materials like clothing and linens. Transmission from animals to humans can occur through direct contact in rural settings.