• On 14th August 2024, the WHO declared Monkeypox or Mpox as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) for the second time since 2022.

• At the Joint Monitoring Group meeting, experts from the National Centre for Disease Control, Directorate General of Health Services, Indian Council of Medical Research, representatives of all Central Government Hospitals, and others discussed the current situation and required steps to deal with Mpox.

• The Cautionary measures discussed in the meeting on 16th August were as follows:

1. Crossborder area (airports, seaports, ground) sensitization of health units.

2. Preparation of laboratory requirements for virus testing at 32 centers across India

3. Taskforce formation at all government hospitals ready to detect, isolate, and manage Mpox cases.

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