Monkeypox Not As Contagious As COVID-19, Says COVID Panel Chief

New Delhi: Monkeypox outbreak has been witnessed in nearly 20 countries, however, no suspected cases of the disease have been detected in India so far, referring to which, a health expert on Wednesday (May 25) said that it is not as contagious as COVID-19 that caused devastation across the world. Speaking to ANI, Dr NK Arora, Chairperson of the COVID working group, NTAGI, said, “Monkeypox is not as contagious or severe as COVID. However, its spread is a matter of concern. No suspect cases have been reported in India so far.”

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The expert informed that the Centre has set up a committee for surveillance of Monkeypox cases in India.

The government has set up a committee expert committee for surveillance which is similar like that during COVID-19, he said.

“It is likely to have more severe outcomes in those who are immunocompromised or have other diseases,” Dr Arora said cautioning people not to take it lightly.

He further asked to be vigilant for those who are travelling from those countries which have reported monkeypox.

We’ll have to be careful about people travelling from outside, particularly from those countries.

Monkeypox has been reported in 20 countries including the USA, UK, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, and Italy among others. This is one of the biggest outbreaks of the virus outside of West Africa.
Monkeypox is a rare viral disease that occurs predominately in central and west Africa. Most of its infections last two to four weeks and result in swelling of the lymph nodes as well as a widespread rash on the body.

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NDTV – Dettol have been working towards a clean and healthy India since 2014 via the Banega Swachh India initiative, which is helmed by Campaign Ambassador Amitabh Bachchan. The campaign aims to highlight the inter-dependency of humans and the environment, and of humans on one another with the focus on One Health, One Planet, One Future – Leaving No One Behind. It stresses on the need to take care of, and consider, everyone’s health in India – especially vulnerable communities – the LGBTQ population, indigenous people, India’s different tribes, ethnic and linguistic minorities, people with disabilities, migrants, geographically remote populations, gender and sexual minorities. In wake of the current COVID-19 pandemic, the need for WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) is reaffirmed as handwashing is one of the ways to prevent Coronavirus infection and other diseases. The campaign will continue to raise awareness on the same along with focussing on the importance of nutrition and healthcare for women and children, fight malnutrition, mental wellbeing, self care, science and health, adolescent health & gender awareness. Along with the health of people, the campaign has realised the need to also take care of the health of the eco-system. Our environment is fragile due to human activity, which is not only over-exploiting available resources, but also generating immense pollution as a result of using and extracting those resources. The imbalance has also led to immense biodiversity loss that has caused one of the biggest threats to human survival – climate change. It has now been described as a “code red for humanity.” The campaign will continue to cover issues like air pollution, waste management, plastic ban, manual scavenging and sanitation workers and menstrual hygiene. Banega Swasth India will also be taking forward the dream of Swasth Bharat, the campaign feels that only a Swachh or clean India where toilets are used and open defecation free (ODF) status achieved as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014, can eradicate diseases like diahorrea and the country can become a Swasth or healthy India.