Mpox: After battling Covid-19, Is India ready for Mpox prevention? What needs to be done |

While waging a war against COVID-19, we now face another pandemic, monkeypox. Dealing with COVID-19 was much more challenging due to the lack of preparedness and insufficient infrastructure. We hadn’t encountered a pandemic of this scale in a long time, which made the situation even more difficult. However, many valuable lessons were learned—primarily the need for better preparedness.
India’s response to COVID-19 highlighted the importance of rapid mobilization, mass vaccination drives, and enhancements to public health infrastructure.A similar approach should be adopted for Mpox, but with a more targeted strategy. Swift containment, widespread education on transmission, and focused vaccination campaigns for at-risk groups are crucial to prevent the spread of the disease.

Early detection may be a game changer

According to Dr. Ankita Baidya, Consultant – Infectious Diseases, Manipal Hospital Dwarka, New Delhi, “Early detection and clear communication are vital to preventing escalation, as seen with COVID-19. Although Mpox doesn’t have the same widespread impact, preparedness and a proactive strategy are essential to prevent outbreaks. The development of effective and safe vaccines has already commenced, with clinical trials underway.”

Transmission matters

Unlike COVID-19, which primarily spread through aerosol droplets, Mpox is mainly transmitted through direct contact. This difference underscores the need for strict adherence to contact precautions, including maintaining isolation periods for suspected cases to prevent further transmission. By learning from the COVID-19 experience and adopting a targeted approach, India can effectively contain Mpox and prevent widespread outbreaks.

According to Dr. Manisha Mendiratta, Associate Director & Head – Pulmonology, Sarvodaya Hospital Sector -8, Faridabad, “There were numerous challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, including hospital overcrowding, oxygen shortages, and a lack of adequate diagnostic tests. India can apply these lessons to monkeypox. Strong infrastructure is essential, along with effective medicines to combat infections, and vaccinations, which played a crucial role in managing the outbreak. Early diagnosis and detection are key, along with proper surveillance and widespread public awareness campaigns on social media and other platforms to educate people on prevention measures. Strengthening healthcare infrastructure and prioritizing vaccination are crucial steps as well.”
Taking proactive measures, such as making diagnostic tests more accessible to local healthcare providers, will help manage the situation. Ensuring proper isolation and quarantine of suspected or positive cases is another vital step. Furthermore, international cooperation is critical to support each other during such outbreaks. Finally, addressing misinformation is crucial—dispelling unnecessary fears, debunking incorrect treatment practices, and combating myths related to viral infections must be communicated clearly to patients.