Public Health Director Lists Precautionary Measures For Mpox At Entry Points

Bhubaneswar: In light of the rising Monkeypox (Mpox) cases reported from several countries, including India, Public Health Director Dr. Niranjan Mishra has issued a set of precautionary measures for managing the disease. These guidelines are directed toward authorities at Points of Entry (PoEs) such as airports, seaports, and land borders to ensure early detection and containment of suspected cases.

Key public health actions to be implemented at PoEs include:

1. Health Desks for International Travellers: Special health desks at airports, seaports, and land borders will be tasked with monitoring travelers, especially those from countries with confirmed or suspected Mpox cases. Passengers displaying symptoms such as fever, profound weakness, or an unexplained rash who have traveled within the last 21 days to affected areas will be marked as high-risk.
2. Isolation of Suspected Cases: Suspected cases identified at PoEs will be isolated in designated transit facilities. Immediate reporting will be made to the State or District Surveillance Officers under the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP).
3. Infection Control: Strict infection control practices will be followed while handling suspected cases.
4. Transfer to Isolation Facility: Suspected patients will be transferred to designated referral hospitals in specialized ambulances arranged by the State/District IDSP team.
5. Lab Testing: Samples from suspected cases will be sent to identified labs, including AIIMS, Bhubaneswar, for confirmation.
6. Contact Tracing: If a case is confirmed, the PoEs will provide a contact list to the State/District IDSP team for immediate follow-up.
7. Self-Reporting Format: A standardized self-reporting format for suspected cases will be used across referral hospitals and PoEs.
8. Helpline: Queries can be directed to the NCDC helpline at (+91) 011-23909348.
9. Immigration and Airline Role: Immigration staff and PoE operators are instructed to provide full support to health officials. Any reports of sick passengers must be promptly relayed to the Airport/Port Health Officer (APHO/PHO).

These measures aim to strengthen Mpox surveillance and response to prevent its spread across borders.