Necessary steps are being taken to control monkeypox in India. Under this, preparations have started to make testing kits in the country. The Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) has approved the manufacture of three indigenous testing kits to detect monkeypox. These testing kits are being developed by Siemens Healthcare, TransAsia Diagnostics and JITM C Gene. A Health Ministry official said that these RT-PCR kits use fluid samples from pox rashes to test the virus. He said that these kits were validated by ICMR. However, there will be no commercial manufacturing of the kit, as there is no need for it.
These three approved testing kits are among the six kits that have been recognized by ICMR for detecting viral infections. After the first cases of ampox were reported in India in 2022, ICMR had called upon companies to develop diagnostics and vaccines. This process of approval of testing kits has started after the WHO declared ampox a global emergency. Earlier, between July 2022 and May 2023, ampox cases had increased significantly. Even then it was declared a global emergency. In India, 30 cases of ampox have been registered since 2022. Of these, March 2024 has the highest number.
Let us tell you that initially this infection was found only in those who traveled internationally. However, later its symptoms started appearing in other people as well. It is worth noting that a vaccine for ampox is also being prepared in the country. According to the Serum Institute of India, it is working in this direction. Its positive results are expected in a year. Serum Institute of India Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Adar Poonawalla said in a statement that in view of the global health emergency declared due to the ampox outbreak, the Serum Institute of India is working on developing a vaccine for this disease, so that the lives of millions of people can be saved.