Monkeypox Not As Contagious As Covid, Its Spread Matter Of Concern: Govt Panel NTAGI

Monkeypox Scare: Dr NK Arora, chairman of the Covid-19 working group of the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (NTAGI), said the government had formed an expert panel on monkeypox.

India has not reported any cases of monkeypox so far

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New Delhi: A government panel on Wednesday said monkeypox was not as contagious or severe as Covid-19 but its spread was a matter of concern, ANI reported. Dr NK Arora, chairman of the Covid-19 working group of the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (NTAGI), said the government had formed an expert panel on monkeypox.

"Monkeypox is not as contagious or severe as Covid-19. However, its spread is matter of concern. It will have severe output in those immunocompromised. The government has set up expert committee for this. Surveillance similar to that of Covid," ANI quoted Dr Arora as saying. 

No monkeypox cases have been reported in India yet, but states and the Central government are keeping a close watch on the situation. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has kept a 28-bed ward ready at the Kasturba Hospital for the isolation of suspected monkeypox patients. Tamil Nadu has advised health department officials to step up surveillance at airports.

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According to the World Health Organization, there are now 131 confirmed cases of monkeypox, and a further 106 suspected cases, in 19 countries.

Recently, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said that the virus doesn't spread via air as Covid-19. Monkeypox virus transmission requires close contact with an infected person.

On the detection of Omicron subvariants BA.4 and BA.5 in India, Dr Arora said no local outbreaks were reported so far. He said there was no evidence that another Covid-19 wave would come at the moment.

"Most Covid cases are being seen in people who were isolated/protected these past two yrs. B4 and B5 variants have been found but no local outbreaks. Contact tracing has been intensified. At the moment we've no evidence another wave would come," he said.