India forms task force to monitor Monkeypox after 'first death'

A day after the death of a 22-year-old youth suspected due to Monkeypox infection, the Centre on Sunday formed a task force to monitor and provide guidance to the government including exploring vaccination options in fight against the viral disease.

According to sources, the task force team will be headed by VK Paul member (Health) Niti Aayog and will have pother members including Secretary, Union Health Ministry.

Notably, India has so far reported 4 confirmed cases of Monkeypox infection. A youth died in Kerala on Saturday before his family members furnished a report of him testing positive for the virus in UAE.

The Kerala Government has ordered a high level probe into the case and prepare contact list and route map of the deceased youth. This apart, the administration will also investigate why there was a delay in his hospital admission even after he returned from Middle East on July 21.

A week ago, the WHO had declared the viral zoonotic disease as a global emergency. An antiviral agent developed for the treatment of smallpox has also been licensed for the treatment of monkeypox.