monkeypox | Business Upturn

CDSCO approves India’s indigenous RT-PCR testing kit for monkeypox, delivers results in 40 mins

Aman Shukla — Tue, 27 Aug 2024 07:06:11 +0000

Since the World Health Organisation (WHO) announced monkeypox to be the second public health emergency of international concern, India has developed an indigenous RT-PCR testing kit to fight the disease. This virus’s new strain, known as Clad-1, is more transmissible and has a higher death rate.

The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation has approved Siemens Healthineers’ IMDX Monkeypox Detection RT-PCR Assay for manufacturing.

Test results, according to Siemens Healthcare Private Ltd., would be available in about forty minutes—much faster than with existing procedures, which take one to two hours. The test allows quicker responses by reducing the reporting turnaround time.

The ICMR-National Institute of Virology, Pune, has clinically validated the IMDX Monkeypox RTPCR Assay kits, which have an amazing 100% sensitivity and specificity. The kits meet the highest international standards as well as Indian statutory guidelines.

The managing director of Siemens Healthcare Private Limited, Hariharan Subramanian, emphasized the significance of precise and accurate diagnostics in the current situation. “By providing India with advanced assay kits tailored to combat Monkeypox, we are taking a proactive stance in battling this disease and prioritising prompt and precise detection that can truly make a difference in saving lives. These kits are a testament to our focus on improving ‘Access to Care’ and these assay kits are a significant step towards that goal.”

US reports over 28,000 monkeypox cases

United News of India (UNI) — Thu, 27 Oct 2022 04:19:22 +0000

More than 28,000 monkeypox cases had been confirmed in the United States, according to the latest data of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

California had the most confirmed cases among US states, with 5,372 cases, followed by New York with 4,082 and Florida with 2,697, according to the CDC data as of Tuesday.

At least six people in the United States who tested positive for monkeypox had died, including two in Chicago, two in New York, one in Nevada and one in Maryland, local health departments confirmed.

Monkeypox infections are rarely fatal, with most cases resolving within two to four weeks. According to the World Health Organization, the disease has a fatality rate of around 3 to 6 per cent.

However, immunocompromised individuals are more likely to experience severe illness when infected, according to the CDC.

Bahrain reports first monkeypox case

United News of India (UNI) — Sat, 17 Sep 2022 03:45:31 +0000

Bahrain’s Health Ministry reported the kingdom’s first monkeypox case.

The patient, a 29-year-old male expatriate, arrived in the kingdom after recent overseas trips, the ministry said in a statement on Friday.

“The patient is exhibiting symptoms and has been isolated while receiving the necessary care based on the adopted protocols,” it added, without elaborating.

The ministry said it was using contact tracing and disease surveillance systems to mitigate the spread of the virus.

In addition to vaccinations, a contingency plan and a reporting mechanism were in place to deal with suspected cases, the ministry said.

WHO intends to rename monkeypox due to stigmatisation concern

Aryan Jakhar — Sat, 13 Aug 2022 07:48:12 +0000

After some critics raised concerns that the name could be derogatory or have racist overtones, the World Health Organization announced it will organise an open discussion to rename the illness monkeypox.

The U.N. issued a statement on Friday. In order to prevent stigmatisation, the health authorities also claimed to have renamed two families, or clades, of the virus using Roman numbers rather than specific locations. The disease formerly known as the Congo Basin clade will now be referred to as Clade I, while the West Africa clade will be referred to as Clade II.

In accordance with current best practises for disease naming, which aim to avoid offending any cultural, social, national, regional, professional, or ethnic groups and minimise any negative impact on trade, travel, tourism, or animal welfare, WHO stated that the decision was made following a meeting of scientists this week.

Many additional illnesses, such as the Marburg virus, Spanish influenza, Japanese encephalitis, and Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome, have been named after the regions where they first manifested or were first discovered. None of the names have been publicly suggested for change by WHO.

Although they are not believed to represent the animal reservoir, study monkeys in Denmark were initially identified as having a pox-like illness in 1958, giving rise to the moniker monkeypox.

Although WHO did not specify a deadline, it said it was establishing a channel for the public to offer new names for monkeypox.

Since May, more than 31,000 cases of monkeypox have been documented worldwide, the bulk occurring outside of Africa. Despite being endemic in several regions of central and west Africa for decades, significant outbreaks of monkeypox were not known to occur outside of the continent until May.

The WHO designated the outbreak of monkeypox as an international emergency in July, and the United States earlier this month proclaimed its own epidemic to be a national emergency.

98% of occurrences outside of Africa involve guys who have sex with other men. As there is only a finite amount of vaccines available worldwide, officials are rushing to eradicate monkeypox before it establishes itself as a new illness.

Kerela youth with Monkeypox-like symptoms dies, 20 quarantined

Pranay Maniar — Mon, 01 Aug 2022 10:38:02 +0000

Twenty people were quarantined after the death of one person with monkeypox-like symptoms in Kerela’s Thrissur.

Officials in the state also mentioned that the deceased came in contact with just 10 people including friends and family.

Renjini, a member of the Education and Health Committee said “The situation is well under control, there’s no panic here as of now. The person had direct contact with only 10 people including family members and a few friends. 20 people quarantined so far.”

The Panchayat Members of the Punnayur village held a meeting to discuss the situation following the death regarding subsequent measures to be taken up.

The state health minister, Veena George has ordered a high-level inquiry into the death of a youth that was showing monkeypox-like symptoms. He had tested positive in a foreign country before returning to India. The youth hailed from Chavakkad Kuranjiyur in Thrissur district.

“The result of the test conducted in the foreign country was positive. He sought treatment in Thrissur due to severe fatigue and encephalitis and Monkeypox is not a fatal disease,” said George.

She also stated that the delay in the treatment will be investigated by the state officials.

The World Health Organisation on 23^rd July declared monkeypox a ‘global emergency’ with cases being detected across the world.

There have been 4 cases of monkeypox detected in India, with 3 from Kerala and 1 in Delhi. In another case, a man was suspected to carry the disease so he was admitted to a government hospital in Telangana’s Khammam on July 27.

Tamil Nadu Health Minister dismisses Monkeypox fake news

Pranay Maniar — Fri, 29 Jul 2022 13:12:42 +0000

Monkeypox: Health Minister Ma Subramanian said that there has been fake news circulating on social media saying, that 4 cases of Monkeypox were detected in the city of Nagercoil.

Monkeypox fake news

Don’t believe fake news. If we find any such case, we’ll tell the media to make people aware of the disease,” the minister said.

There have been 4 cases of monkeypox detected in India, with 3 from Kerala and 1 in Delhi. In another case, a man was suspected to carry the disease. So he was admitted to a government hospital in Telangana’s Khammam on July 27.

The World Health Organisation on 23^rd July declared monkeypox a ‘global emergency’ with cases being detected across the world.

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the Director of WHO stated that ‘we have an outbreak that has spread around the world rapidly, through new modes of transmission, about which we understand too little and which meets the criteria in the International Health Regulations.’ “For all of these reasons, I have decided that the global monkeypox outbreak represents a public health emergency of international concern.”

Cases in India

The first case of monkeypox was detected in the city of Kollam in Kerala, the man had arrived from the UAE. Further, he had tested positive for Monkeypox on 14^th July. The second case was found from a Dubai returnee and the third is a resident of Mallapuram. Who arrived in Kerela on 6th July and started having symptoms a week later on 13^th.

The fourth case of Monkeypox was detected in Delhi. However, the man did not have a history of international travel.

The Health Minister of Kerala, Veena George said that there was no need to worry. Hence, he also assured that there has been no outbreak of the disease and testing across the state has increased.

International travelers with Monkeypox symptoms to be sent LNJP Hospital

News Desk — Mon, 25 Jul 2022 20:15:23 +0000

International travelers arriving in Delhi with monkeypox symptoms. Such as high fever and back pain will be sent to the LNJP Hospital from the airport, report states.

The decision was taken in a review meeting that was chaired by Delhi Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena on Monday.

Furthermore, the Delhi government on Monday also asked district authorities. And officials concerned to comply with the Centre’s guidelines on management of the infection. The Guidelines reiterate that referral arrangements from airport/port to identified link hospital need to be established or strengthened.

After today’s decision, travelers experiencing symptoms like high fever, back pain and joint pain at the IGI Airport. Thus, will be sent to the isolation ward at LNJP Hospital. Which has formed a special 20-member team to deal with Monkeypox cases. Then, the samples of suspected patients will be sent to the National Institute of Virology, Pune. While the district administration officials will quarantine the family members and carry out contact tracing.

Currently, in the first identified case of Monkeypox, a 34-year-old person from west Delhi was found infected. He is admitted and quarantined in LNJP Hospital and will take at least a week to fully recover.

The airport health teams currently screen patients with suspected Covid-19 symptoms considering both the viruses share quite a few similar symptoms.

WHO to rename Monkeypox viral disease amid disease outbreak

News Desk — Thu, 16 Jun 2022 10:52:47 +0000

More than 30 countries where the Monkeypox virus is not endemic. Lest, have reported outbreaks of the viral disease, with the majority of confirmed cases in Europe.

The virus, which was discovered in monkeys and spreads through close contact, is mostly found in West and Central Africa and only very rarely spreads elsewhere.

According to the most recent official figures, the number of monkeypox cases in the United Kingdom has surpassed 500. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) reported 52 new monkeypox cases. Thus, in England, one in Scotland, and one in Wales. Hence, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the UK to 524 as of Tuesday. The UKHSA reported 504 confirmed cases in England, 13 in Scotland, two in Northern Ireland, and five in Wales.

WHO decides to rename Monkeypox

The World Health Organization (WHO) has decided to rename the monkeypox virus, which has infected more than 30 countries. The change is the result of concerns raised by a group of international scientists. About the “discriminatory” nature of the virus strain names.

According to WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the organisation is “working with partners and experts from around the world on changing the name of the monkeypox virus, its clades, and the disease it causes.” He stated that the WHO will announce the new names as soon as possible.

On June 10, a paper titled. “Urgent need for a non-discriminatory and non-stigmatizing nomenclature for monkeypox virus“. Published a request from 30 international scientists to change the name. According to a spokesperson, the current name does not comply with WHO guidelines. Moreover, that advise against using geographic regions or animal names.

According to a spokesperson for the WHO, scientists in orthopoxviruses – the family to which monkeypox belongs – are consulting on more appropriate names. Other disease names that violate the standards, according to joint recommendations from the WHO, the World Organization for Animal Health, and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, include swine flu.

According to reports, the WHO will work with experts in orthopoxviruses, which include monkeypox, to come up with more appropriate names.

Monkeypox detected in India: Ghaziabad reports first suspected case

News Desk — Sat, 04 Jun 2022 09:47:15 +0000

On Saturday, the Ghaziabad district of Uttar Pradesh reported the first suspected monkeypox case. “A sample from a suspected monkeypox case in Ghaziabad has been sent for testing,” the ANI news agency reported, citing government sources. So far, no cases of monkeypox have been reported in India.

A five-year-old girl in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, is being tested for monkeypox after complaining of itching and rashes on her body.

Testing for Monkeypox: CMO

According to the Chief Medical Officer of Ghaziabad. The test is only a “precautionary measure”. Because the girl has no other health issues. And has no close contact with anyone who has traveled abroad in the last month.

“Samples of a five-year-old girl have been collected for testing for monkeypox. As a precautionary measure. As she had complaints of itching and rashes on her body. She has no other health issues and neither she nor any of her close contacts traveled abroad in the past month”. CMO Ghaziabad said.

Government to issue Monkeypox viral disease prevention guidelines next week

News Desk — Tue, 24 May 2022 19:32:57 +0000

India’s ministry of health and family welfare will be issuing comprehensive guidelines later this week for the treatment and prevention of monkeypox amid an outbreak of the viral disease.

This rare disease has registered nearly 100 confirmed cases globally.

The decision to issue guidelines was taken at a meeting held on Monday. Attended by officials from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). World Health Organization (WHO), National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), clinicians and health ministry. To set up standard operating procedures for internationals who show symptoms of the disease after returning from affected countries.

The detailed descriptive guidelines will include identifying sick patients at airports, lab tests, symptoms, prevention, surveillance strategies, reporting to hospitals and community awareness.

As per the WHO, more than 92 cases have been reported from a dozen countries so far. “We should not be worried about monkeypox but vigilant.” Said Dr Nivedita Gupta, senior scientist of ICMR.

Ministry of health and ICMR is forming the guidelines for monkeypox with regards to the treatment, prevention, community awareness, signs and symptoms of monkeypox. As well as isolation of sick patients who returned from monkeypox affected countries. Moreover, surveillance strategy at the airports and sea ports. So, these are going to be comprehensive guidelines. Which the ministry of health is likely to release in the coming days”. Said Dr Nivedita Gupta, senior scientist of ICMR.

Monkeypox reaches 11 countries, WHO predicts outbreakbreak

News Desk — Sat, 21 May 2022 08:16:59 +0000

The World Health Organization (WHO) has anticipated an outbreak of monkeypox in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic. So far, the United Nations has confirmed 80 cases of monkeypox in 11 nations. “So far, 80 instances have been confirmed, with another 50 under investigation. As surveillance expands, more incidents are likely to be reported “it added.

According to the WHO, monkeypox is endemic in specific animal populations in several countries, resulting in epidemics among locals and visitors on occasion. The WHO has stated that they are investigating the unusual disease to determine its scope and aetiology.

The Indian government has asked National Centre for Disease Control and the ICMR to remain vigilant due to the monkeypox outbreak. “Keep a close watch on Monkeypox situation abroad; isolate sick passengers from affected countries and send their samples to NIV Pune for investigation”, the Union Health Ministry said.

Viral Zoonosis

Monkeypox is a viral zoonosis (a virus transmitted from animals to humans) with symptoms that are strikingly similar to those seen in smallpox patients in the past, however it is less severe clinically.

It has a distinct spread than Covid-19. WHO advises individuals to be informed about the magnitude of the outbreak in their neighborhood (if any), symptoms, and prevention from credible sources such as national health agencies.

Monkeypox is characterized by fever, rash, and swollen lymph nodes, according to the World Health Organization, and can result in a variety of medical consequences. It is usually a self-limiting condition that lasts between 2 and 4 weeks. It starts with a flu-like illness and lymph node swelling, then a rash on the face and body.

Although there is no specific vaccine for monkeypox, the WHO reports that vaccines used to eradicate smallpox are up to 85% effective against monkeypox. Monkeypox incidences have been documented in 11 African countries since 1970. Since 2017, Nigeria has been experiencing a large-scale outbreak.

The UK Health Security Agency stated the recent instances in the country were mostly among men. Who self-identified as gay, bisexual, or having sex with men. And that 20 cases have already been confirmed. On Friday, Portugal discovered nine more cases, bringing the total to 23. The preceding 14 cases were all discovered in sexual health clinics. And involved guys between the ages of 20 and 40 who identified as gay, bisexual, or having sex with men.