Seasonal Diseases Top Concerns Over Mpox: Study

Hyderabad: With seasonal viral diseases including vector-borne and those caused by contamination of food and water becoming more prevalent, people are more concerned about these diseases as compared to a global health emergency such as monkeypox or mpox. A study conducted by LocalCircles, which took responses from 10,000 citizens in 324 districts of India, showed that about 29 per cent of people are concerned about seasonal viral diseases and only six per cent about mpox. The study also showed that 13 per cent of respondents were concerned about Covid-19.

The study suggested that people have limited awareness about the ongoing global health emergency, especially as they are grappling with seasonal diseases and vector-borne diseases. Telangana has recorded as many as 3,237 dengue cases from July 1 to August 18, as per data provided by the director of public health. There were 1,354 cases in July alone. There has also been a spike in viral fever cases, with around 15-20 cases being reported every day at Fever Hospital, along with 10-12 gastroenteritis cases. Around 1,181 fever cases, 124 dengue and three malaria cases were reported in Rangareddy district in July.

At the time of the study, there was only one case of mpox reported in Pakistan. There have been only 30 mpox cases reported in India, from 2022 till now. At present, there are no cases in India. The study shows that the awareness about the contingency of diseases remains low and with the seasonal diseases already at the doorstep, citizens now have to remain vigilant of a global health emergency as well.