No mass vaccination needed for Monkeypox yet, says Odisha health expert

Playing down the concerns of the World Health Organisation (WHO) regarding the Monkeypox disease, health experts in Odisha have said that there is no need for mass vaccination yet in the State.

Speaking to OTV, health expert Dr Neeraj Mishra said, “The WHO has raised its concern because cases of Monkeypox have been witnessed in the non-endemic African countries. The good news is that the virus has not changed its nature yet. It has similarities with smallpox and the smallpox vaccine is 85% effective against it.”

“Though the disease is contagious, it does not spread like COVID. Only persons with close contact of the patient can contract it. So, we can just isolate and treat them as per the symptoms,” he added.

“As far as the State of Odisha is concerned, we have administered smallpox vaccines to children earlier. And the same can be arranged again within no time. We can just isolate and vaccinate the close contacts. So, there is no need to panic yet,” Mishra said.

“However, we need to remain careful and vigilant so that we do not carry it into our country knowingly or unknowingly,” Mishra added.

Amid the rising number of Monkeypox cases, a new report said that it may never be eliminated because too many infections are going under the radar and pet animals could continue to harbour the virus.

Monkeypox may now be endemic in the UK and Europe, leading experts have warned that as the virus normally confined to areas of Africa it continues to spread around the world, reported the Daily Mail.

On Friday, a World Health Organization report said that the virus has spread to more than 20 countries, with about 200 confirmed cases and over 100 suspected cases in nations where it is typically not found.