Union Health Ministry Issues Alert on Mpox at Airports and Border Ports; Designates Nodal Hospitals in Delhi

New Delhi: The Union Health Ministry has issued an alert to all airports and land ports along India’s borders with Bangladesh and Pakistan, urging authorities to be vigilant for passengers exhibiting symptoms of Mpox. The advisory, issued on Monday, comes in response to the recent global outbreak of Mpox, which the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a public health emergency last week.

The health ministry has identified three hospitals in Delhi—Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, Safdarjung Hospital, and Lady Hardinge Hospital—as nodal centres for the isolation, management, and treatment of any Mpox cases that may arise. These hospitals will be equipped to handle and treat patients showing symptoms of the viral infection.

The Centre has also directed all state governments to designate specific hospitals within their jurisdiction to serve as Mpox treatment centres. This proactive measure is part of a broader strategy to contain and manage the potential spread of the virus, ensuring that healthcare facilities are prepared to respond quickly and effectively.

Mpox, a viral disease, has been garnering global attention due to the emergence of a new variant, prompting the WHO to take significant action by declaring it a global public health emergency. The declaration underscores the seriousness of the outbreak and the need for coordinated international efforts to mitigate its spread.

As India continues to monitor the situation closely, the Union Health Ministry’s latest directive aims to bolster preparedness at key entry points into the country, ensuring that any potential cases of Mpox are identified and managed swiftly.