Odisha issues 10-point precautionary measures to prevent monkeypox virus spread

Amidst the detection of first case of monkeypox (Mpox) in India and the rising cases across the globe, the Director of Public Health has urged all the hospitals and medical health institutions in Odisha to strengthen surveillance activities, preparedness and response against the deadly disease.

Through a letter to the Directors of Bhubaneswar Airport, Director of Capital Hospital, CDMOS, Public Health officers, Deans and Principals of Medical Colleges and Port health Officer of Paradip, Dr. Nilakantha Mishra, Director of Public Health, Odisha, directed all to take adequate precautionary measures to be vigilant for the persons having history of travel to affected countries in the last 21 days with unexplained rash, fever with other signs and symptoms.

As a proactive approach, several public health actions at Point of Entry (PoEs) to be initiated as recommended by Public Health Department:

1. International travelers health desk at airports and seaports or with crew coming from the affected countries or passengers at land borders at PoEs to be kept as high suspicion passengers.

2. The passengers who present with fever, profound weakness and an otherwise unexplained rash.

3. Who have travelled, in the last 21 days, to a country that has recently had confirmed or suspected cases of Mpox and contact with a person or people with confirmed or suspected cases of Mpox and contact with a person or people with confirmed or suspected Mpox.

4. All suspected cases identified at PoE to be isolated at transit isolation facilities and information to be shared immediately with State or District Surveillance Officer of Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme.

5. All infection control practices to be followed while handling such suspect cases.

6. The suspect to be transferred to isolation facility at identified/deisngated referral hospital by the State/District IDSP team in designated ambulance.

7. Laboratory samples will be sent to identified labs (AIIMS, BBSR) from the referral hospital.

8. In case of suspect case is lab confirmed, PoEs to keep the list of contacts and share immediately with State/District IDSP team.

9. Self-reporting format for suspect cases to be shared to Nodal officer of Referral Hospitals, APHO/PHO of the respective PoE. The same format can be used in the event alert generated in IHIP.

10. Any query may be contacted with NCDC helpline number – (+91) 011 – 23909348.

11. Role of immigration and PoE/Airline operators: All airport/seaport/landport operators to provide all necessary assistance to the APHO/PHO in managing this PHEIC. Conveyance/immigration staff to report regarding any sick passenger to APHO/PHO.