Monkeypox, originating in Central and West Africa, has reached 6 EU countries besides the US, Israel, Australia. The initial cases came from Nigerian travel to the UK, which now sees the cases double. The disease is transmitted from human to human via contact with an infected human, animal or material. The cases have rashes over the whole body including the palms and soles and mouth. Incubation is 21 days and one can see the amount of care required for the same. Goa has many Nigerians both students and drug peddlers. Further, Goa being an international tourism destination besides hosting domestic tourists, is a high risk State. 10% cases are fatal with another 4 % that can lead to blindness. The Health Minister Viswajit Rane has already delayed action just like in the case of the Corona pandemic. Goa must focus now on surveillance with prompt reporting of cases and training of all healthcare workers. Has this been done? WHO has training modules on OpenWHO: Monkeypox: Introductory Course for African Outbreak Context and Monkeypox: Epidemiology, preparedness and response for African outbreak context. Goa is not prepared as of date.
