Although monkeypox has yet to be detected in Meghalaya, Health Minister James PK Sangma said today that his department has taken steps in anticipation of the disease’s arrival.
Monkeypox has been categorised as a public health emergency of international concern by the World Health Organisation. It spreads through close, personal, often skin-to-skin, contact, often directly with rashes or body fluids from an infected person, by touching objects and fabrics that have been used by someone with monkeypox or through respiratory secretions.
Sangma informed that isolation centres have been set up in Shillong and it is planned that such facilities will be available in every district. Testing infrastructure is also being readied because quick testing will enable the isolation of positive patients before they can spread the disease further, the minister added.
Although cases have been reported in India, Meghalaya is so far free of the disease.
Asked if the government is considering restrictions on people coming from outside the state, Sangma replied that there is no need for such restrictions at the moment.
