Mumbai- Although there has not been a single case of monkeypox in the city, as a precautionary measure, a special ward with 14 beds has been reserved for it at Seven Hills Hospital in Mumbai. These steps have been taken following the guidelines issued by the Mumbai Municipal Corporation and the state government after a rise in monkeypox cases in Pakistan and Sweden. Since Mumbai is a major entry point for many foreign visitors, the municipal health department is collaborating with the health information room at the international airport to monitor potential risks.
The assistant medical superintendent of the municipality said that special isolation beds and monkeypox ICUs have been kept ready to admit potential cases with severe symptoms. Though no case of monkeypox has been reported in India so far, the administration wants to remain alert as the virus spreads with rashes, fever, cough, sore throat and sometimes without any symptoms.
Besides, former Maharashtra chief minister Prithviraj Chavan demanded immediate establishment of screening and quarantine facility at Mumbai airport. He demanded thorough screening of passengers arriving especially from countries with high number of cases. Chavan said such measures were not implemented properly during the Covid pandemic and urged the chief minister to take immediate action.
The alert comes after the World Health Organization declared monkeypox a global health emergency due to a rapid increase in monkeypox cases in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and its neighboring countries.
In addition, Pakistan recently confirmed its first monkeypox cases and Sweden also reported its first case outside Africa, highlighting the global impact of the virus and the need for continued vigilance in areas such as Mumbai.