Mandaviya has said in the Rajya Sabha that out of total 8 cases reported in the country so far, five have the history of travelling abroad…reports Asian Lite News
Serum Institute of India CEO Adar Poonawalla on Tuesday said that research is underway to find a vaccine against monkeypox.
Poonawalla has reportedly briefed the Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on the issue in a meeting on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, the total number of confirmed Monkeypox cases reached 8 on Tuesday.
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Mandaviya has said in the Rajya Sabha that out of total 8 cases reported in the country so far, five have the history of travelling abroad.
The Health Minister said studies are still being conducted to find proper vaccination for the disease. Only contact tracing and vaccinating people who were in close contact with a disease carrier required to be vaccinated and there is no need for a country-wide vaccination for this disease.
8 monkeypox cases reported in India so far
Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Tuesday said in the Rajya Sabha that a total of 8 cases of monkeypox have been reported in India so far.
The Minister said this while replying in the House over the steps taken by the government to create awareness about monkeypox.
Mandaviya said in the House that out of total 8 cases reported in the country, five have the history of travelling abroad.
According to a source, Delhi on Tuesday reported the third confirmed cases of Monkeypox which has led the tally to 8 nationwide.
A foreign national with no recent travel history has been tested positive for monkeypox in Delhi, the source said. This is the third case of Monkeypox in Delhi.
Meanwhile, Kerala also reported another confirmed case of monkeypox in a UAE returnee on Tuesday. This is the fifth case of the disease in the state so far, leading the tally to 8 in the country.
However, one patient of monkeypox was discharged from Delhi’s nodal hospital for the monkeypox treatment, LNJP hospital on Monday night. Asked on the progress of vaccines for the disease, the Health Minister said studies are still being conducted to find proper vaccination for the disease.
On steps taken to create awareness about monkeypox, Mandaviya said that the government has set up a task force and steps are also being taken to increase awareness about the disease.
He also urged the people to not panic as the Central government has been working in coordination with the state governments to control the spread of the virus.
‘Scientists have isolated monkeypox’
Mandaviya informed the Upper House that scientists have isolated the monkeypox virus and a vaccine, like that for Covid-19, might be developed.
While replying to a question regarding the steps taken to create awareness about monkeypox, he said: “Monkeypox has been isolated by our scientists and ICMR has also floated an ‘expression of interest’. Like it was done during the time of Covid. On the basis of that, our scientists who come forward should be given an isolated virus so that its vaccine can be developed.”
Upon being asked in the Rajya Sabha about the progress of vaccines for the disease, the Health Minister said that studies are still being conducted to find proper vaccination for the disease.
Only contact tracing and vaccinating people who were in close contact with a disease carrier are required and there is no need for countrywide vaccination for this disease. Scientists have isolated the monkeypox virus and will also develop a vaccine in India, he added.
According to the minister, monkeypox is not a new disease in India and in the world. Since 1970, many cases have been reported from Africa. The World Health Organization (WHO) has paid special attention to this infection. India has also started monitoring the cases.
On the steps taken to create awareness about monkeypox, Mandaviya said that the government has set up a task force and steps are also being taken to increase awareness about the disease.
He urged the people not to panic as the central government has been working in coordination with the state governments to contain the virus.
“When cases started appearing in the world, India had already started preparations. Before the first case appeared in Kerala, we had issued guidelines to all the states. We have also written to the governments at the international level that the screening report of the travellers should also be sent to us.
“If someone in the family has had monkeypox, then keeping a distance from him for 12-13 days can prevent the infection. With vigilance we can control it”, Mandaviya said.
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