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Mpox: After battling Covid-19, Is India ready for Mpox prevention? What needs to be done | – Times of India
Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, has emerged as the latest global health threat, prompting questions about India’s preparedness in the wake of its battle against Covid-19. Following the World Health Organization’s (WHO) declaration of mpox as a global health emergency, it’s imperative to examine the lessons learned from the Covid-19 pandemic and implement strategic measures to prevent another health crisis.
Lessons from Covid-19
The Covid-19 pandemic exposed the vulnerabilities in global health systems, including India’s. The lessons learned from managing Covid-19 could be pivotal in preparing for mpox:
- Early Detection and Surveillance: Swift identification and monitoring of cases are crucial to contain the spread of the virus. Strengthening the surveillance system and laboratories equipped for testing is essential.
- Public Health Infrastructure: The pandemic underscored the importance of robust healthcare infrastructure. Investment in healthcare facilities, medical equipment, and personnel is vital to handle potential outbreaks.
- Vaccination and Treatment: Rapid development and equitable distribution of vaccines and treatments for mpox should be a priority, learning from the global collaboration seen in Covid-19 vaccine development.
- Public Awareness and Community Engagement: Transparent communication and community involvement are key to managing public perception and ensuring compliance with preventive measures.
Is Mpox as Lethal as Smallpox?
While mpox and smallpox share similarities, including the characteristic rash, mpox is generally less severe and less contagious than smallpox. However, the WHO’s emergency declaration indicates a significant global concern, especially for developing and poor nations, which are more vulnerable due to limited healthcare resources and potential delays in vaccine and treatment accessibility.
Preventive Measures
Preventing an mpox outbreak requires concerted efforts at various levels:
- Vaccination: Ensuring availability and equitable distribution of mpox vaccines, especially in high-risk populations, is critical.
- Surveillance and Testing: Strengthening the capacity for rapid testing and surveillance to identify and isolate cases early.
- Public Health Campaigns: Launching awareness campaigns about mpox transmission, symptoms, and prevention methods to mitigate public panic and ensure accurate information dissemination.
- International Collaboration: Global cooperation in research, vaccine development, and distribution is essential to manage the outbreak effectively and support countries with limited resources.
- Infrastructure and Training: Bolstering healthcare infrastructure and training healthcare workers to manage mpox cases, including isolation facilities and treatment protocols.
India, with its experience from the Covid-19 pandemic, has the potential to leverage these lessons to prevent an mpox crisis. By implementing strategic measures focused on early detection, healthcare infrastructure enhancement, vaccination, public awareness, and international collaboration, India can fortify its defenses against mpox.
The global health community’s response to the mpox outbreak will be a testament to the lessons learned from Covid-19. The emphasis must be on proactive measures and solidarity to ensure that the world, including India, is better prepared to face emerging health threats.
External Links:
– After battling Covid-19, Is India ready for Mpox prevention? What needs to be done – Times of India
– Is Mpox as lethal as smallpox? | Health Wealth, Ep 59 – India Today Podcast
– Monkey Pox Virus is Emerging as a Real Threat to Developing and Poor Nations – Daily Excelsior
– The Mpox Outbreak Is a Damning Indictment of the Global Health System – The Nation
