Bhubaneswar: Minister Health & Family Welfare, Naba Kishore Das has written a letter to Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya seeking kits for screening of Monkeypox viruses for RMRC, Bhubaneswar.
In a letter to Mr.Mandaviya, the State Health Minister Mr.Das said there has been an outbreak of Monkeypox virus across the globe mostly in African Countries with India reporting some such cases.
It is imperative to ensure laboratory preparedness for detection of the pathogen in all states of India. The Health department of Odisha has already taken proactive action and instructed medical colleges and district level health centres for screening for monkeypox based on clinical features and patient history, he said.
“In order to ensure that the state is well prepared to have support for laboratory detection and confirmation of monkeypox cases if detected, it is requested that the regional VRDL at the ICMR RMRC Bhubaneswar which has been providing support for detection of emerging and re-emerging viruses for the state for the past many years be provided with the requisite kits and controls to ensure preparedness for laboratory testing of monkeypox,” wrote Minister Mr.Das.
ICMR Regional Medical Research Centre (RMRC) Bhubaneswar and the regional level VRDL at the centre have provided considerable support to the public health system in the State during the Covid-19 pandemic and the recent outbreaks of Hand Foot and Mouth Disease in the state.
“It is therefore requested that the laboratory be provided with the kits for screening for orthopoxviruses to ensure preparedness to handle the looming public health threat posed by monkeypox,” he added.
Notably, not a single Monkeypox case has been detected in the State so far.