With cases of monkeypox, also known as mpox, being reported from different parts of the world, and a subsequent alert by the World Health Organization (WHO), the Ministry of Health, central government, has directed premier health institutes like NCDC (National Centre for Disease Control) and ICMR (Indian Council for Medical Research) to monitor the situation in the country. On Sunday (August 18), a high-level meeting was held to review the preparedness of laboratories across the country to test likely cases of viral infection mpox in view of its declaration as a public health emergency of international concern by WHO recently.

The airports are already on alert for any symptomatic flyers from the affected countries, as the sudden rise in the number of mpox cases has also put health experts here in a tizzy. Health experts are also concerned that with laxity in screening at airports across the country, the staff may not be trained for physical detection of mpox rashes.