New Delhi: After a suspected case of ampox surfaced in Delhi, the Union Health Ministry has issued an advisory to all states and union territories. This advisory has been issued by Union Health Secretary Apurva Chandra. Vigilance will also be increased at the airport. If a suspected patient is found, he will be examined immediately.

The Union Health Ministry has advised all states to test suspected MPOX patients, isolate them if confirmed, and trace their contacts to minimise the risk of spread of the infection.

What was said in the advisory?

The advisory states that not a single confirmed case has been found in the investigation of NIV Pune. Instructions have been given to conduct immediate health checkup if a suspected patient is found at the airports. State AIDS control committees have also been appealed to increase awareness regarding ampox. The advisory has instructed to make arrangements for isolation of suspected and confirmed cases. It has been advised to do contract tracing of the suspected patient.

The advisory said most of the cases were among men between 18 and 44 years of age.

This virus is most commonly spread through sexual contact. After this, it is spread from one person to another through other means.

If we talk about symptoms, rashes and fever have been observed.

In about half the cases, the patients have also been found to be infected with HIV.

Africa becomes a hotspot for ampox

According to the Union Health Ministry, the first suspected patient found in Delhi has been kept in the hospital. At present, his condition is stable. His samples are being tested. Ampox was earlier known as monkeypox. For the last several years, this virus has wreaked havoc in some African countries. But in 2022, this virus emerged as a global concern. After this, Ampox has been declared a public health emergency of international concern by the World Health Organization (WHO).

So far 223 deaths due to ampox

According to the World Health Organization, a total of 102,997 cases of ampox have been reported so far. At the same time, 223 people have died. More than half of these cases were from African countries.