Telangana government urges Centre to start testing for Monkeypox at airports

Telangana Health Minister T Harish Rao chaired a meeting with all distric collectors to discuss rising vector borne disease and Monkeypox. (trsharish/Twitter)

The Telangana government has requested the Central government to start testing and surveillance for Monkeypox cases at airports, Telangana Health Minister T Harish Rao told reporters on Monday, 25 July, after a meeting on seasonal diseases and Monkeypox with all district collectors of the state.

“Surveillance at airports is a Central government subject. In most of the cases of Monkeypox reported in the country the patient had a travel history to Gulf Countries or Africa,” Rao said.

Addressing the press conference from BRKR Bhavan on Seasonal Diseases https://t.co/xLeltlFFRk

— Harish Rao Thanneeru (@trsharish) July 25, 2022

The health minister added that the samples of the suspected Monkeypox patient in the state had been sent to the National Institute of Virology in Pune.

“We are waiting for his reports. They might come by Tuesday,” he said.

The health minister also said if the person suspected of having Monkeypox tested positive, all those who came in contact with him would be kept in isolation.

He added that if smallpox vaccines were required to control Monkeypox, the state had sufficient stock in case of emergency as of Monday, and would procure more if the need arose for it.

Instructions given

Rao, during the video conference, directed all district collectors to take precautionary measures to prevent outbreaks of seasonal diseases during monsoon.

“Malaria is currently prevalent in the Mulugu and Bhadradri Kothagudem districts. We have made kits available in all districts to prevent outbreaks of malaria and dengue. District health teams have been deployed in districts suffering from flooding,” Rao explained.

The health minister also instructed the district collectors to ensure the quality of midday meals being served in government schools and hostels.

“Food-safety officers have been directed to check the quality of foods being served in government hostels from time to time to ensure quality,” he said.