Mpox in India: As India detected its first suspected case of Mpox, the Centre on Monday issued fresh directives to the state governments to ramp up screening, testing and surveillance. The government asked the states to ensure isolation of confirmed monkeypox cases and emphasised on contract tracing to prevent deaths due to the disease.

Mpox has been declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEC). While there has been no confirmed mpox case in India, on Sunday a man was suspected of being infected with the virus. The man, who was isolated and tested, had returned from a country where confirmed cases of mpox have been reported. His condition was reported to be stable.

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Asking the states to work towards raising awareness, the Centre also issued special instructions to make sure that there was no panic among the masses. Here's a look at the key guidelines issues by the government to the states:

- The government recommended screening and testing of all suspected Mpox (monkeypox) patients and isolating confirmed cases.

- Contact tracing was advised to prevent or minimise the risk of any cases or deaths due to Mpox in the country.

- The government emphasised the importance of preventing undue panic among the public.

- States and union territories were urged to identify hospitals, prepare isolation facilities, and be ready to receive suspected and confirmed cases.

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- The Health Ministry recommended disseminating guidelines on the management of monkeypox, detailed surveillance strategies, and contact tracing protocols.

- Laboratories for testing, clinical management protocols, infection prevention, and risk communication strategies were also listed by the ministry.

- The ministry called for a review of public health preparedness at the state and district levels by senior officials, with specific briefings for healthcare workers, especially those in skin/STD clinics.

- The Centre highlighted that according to a World Health Organization update, most monkeypox patients are men between 18 and 44 years old, with rash (systemic or genital) and fever as the most common symptoms.