Bhubaneswar, With the Monkeypox cases on the rise in as many as 14 countries ,the Odisha Health and Family Welfare (H&FW) Department has asked the public not to be panic for the virus infection.
Underlining, no cases of monkeypox in the state yet the H&FW department said that all airports and port authorities in the state have been instructed to remain vigilant and follow the Government of India’s guidelines.
The H&FW Commissioner cum Secretary informed that three monkeypox cases have been detected in India, with one each in Kerala and Delhi. As the World Health Organization (WHO) has classified monkeypox as an international public health emergency, the Government of India has issued guidelines to all states, including Odisha.
Despite no cases being reported in Odisha, the H&FW Department has alerted district administrations to be ready for prevention and precaution for the fatal virus. Laboratory testing facilities have been established at AIIMS-Bhubaneswar, and necessary arrangements have been made at Bhubaneswar and Jharsuguda airports, as well as at the ports of Paradip, Gopalpur, and Dhamra.
A high level meeting was convened in the Lok Seva Bhawan in this connection chaired by the Chief Secretary Manojj Ahuja wherein H&FW department’s higher officials including the Commissioner-Cum-Secretary among others participated.
