Explained | How is Kerala fighting against monkeypox?

Source: The post is based on the article “Explained | How is Kerala fighting against monkeypox?” published in The Hindu on 22nd July 2022.

What is the News?

Kerala has detected two cases of Monkeypox.While both patients are in isolation and treatment, the State Health department has strengthened surveillance and control measures across all districts.

What is Monkeypox?

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What are the steps Kerala Government has taken against Monkeypox?

One of the first public health messages sent out by the Kerala Health department was that there was no need for the public to panic as monkeypox was not a disease which could spread through the air like COVID-19.

However, the public needs to be vigilant as monkeypox has a long incubation period, and it is possible that some passengers who may have been infected, may develop symptoms only much later. These cases can be detected by the community only if adequate awareness is created.

Is Kerala worried about community transmission of monkeypox?

Public health experts point out that given the transmission dynamics of monkeypox, the secondary attack rate of the virus is less than 10%, indicating that even amongst close family contacts of confirmed cases, the chances of monkeypox spreading are remote.

How many Monkeypox cases have been detected worldwide?

According to WHO, more than 70 countries have reported about 14,000 confirmed cases In addition, five deaths have also been reported from Africa.

Currently, the majority of confirmed cases of monkeypox are male and most of these cases occur amongst gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men in urban areas and are clustered in social and sexual networks.