While the world is basking in the triumph over Covid-19 pandemic that killed millions of people around the world, another contagion is upon us: it is called Mpox, the latest public health emergency. The disease like Covid also spreads by contact between people, mainly through close contact, and occasionally from the environment to people through objects and surfaces touched by a person with Mpox. What is more, the disease can spread from humans to animals who are susceptible to virus, and also from animals to humans. The Mpox already caused a global outbreak in 2022. Now it has become a multi-country outbreak, leading to a WHO public health emergency. The disease can be fatal too, between 0.1 percent and 10 percent of people who have become infected with Mpox, have died.
Mercifully, a vaccine exists. However, mass vaccination, which was rolled out during the COVID-19 global pandemic, has not been recommended yet. Meanwhile, the disease has got some foothold in our part of the world. Some cases have already been reported in Pakistan and Pakistan Occupied Kashmir. And this should be a case of deep concern for us.
On a positive note, the centre has taken note of the development. The airports, ports and border authorities have been directed to remain vigilant in response to the global rise in Mpox cases. So far, there is no reported case of Mpox in the country. According to the current assessment, the risk of a large outbreak in the country is low. But that should be no reason for any complacency. It is time that the Government invests in creating public awareness about the disease without triggering undue panic. The contagion is unlike Covid-19 but may never reach the level of the latter’s penetration. Covid-19 had wrought havoc in India but ultimately infection died down as the country developed a herd immunity. One of the factors for this was that India experienced a nationwide explosion of Covid infections during the virulent Delta wave in the beginning of 2021. Thousands died as a result. This, together with a successful vaccination programme, could be credited to have built mass immunity among the people.
Mpox is altogether a different disease and much worse, in some aspects. Complications of Mpox infection include permanent skin scarring. We need to be particularly on guard against the disease in the Valley as it is a tourist place. We get tourists not just from the rest of the country but also from across the world. So, it is time that the government initiates steps to screen the arrivals in the Valley both by air and the road.
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