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Health Ministry issues guidelines for monkeypox management

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A day ater India registered its first monkeypox case, the Union Health Ministry on Friday issued guidelines for the management of the disease.

The first laboratory confirmed case of monkeypox was reported from Kerala’s Kollam district after which the Union Health Ministry had rushed a multi-disciplinary team of experts on Thursday.

Surveillance and rapid identification of new cases is critical for outbreak containment, the guidelines said, adding that during human monkeypox outbreaks, close contact with infected persons is the most significant risk factor for monkeypox virus infection.

It added further that health workers and household members are at a greater risk of infection. Health workers caring for patients with suspected or confirmed monkeypox virus infection, or handling specimens from them, should implement standard infection control and precautions.

International passengers should also avoid contact with contaminated materials used by sick people such as clothing, bedding or materials used in healthcare settings, or that came into contact with infected animals, the guidelines said.

In addition, people who develop symptoms suggestive of monkeypox like fever and skin rash and were in an area where monkeypox has been reported or had come in contact with a person who might have monkeypox have been advised to immediately consult the nearest health facility.

“The key measures that can be taken to prevent infection with monkeypox virus is to isolate infected patients from others who could be at risk for infection. Avoid contact with any materials, such as bedding, that has been in contact with a patient of monkeypox. Practice good hand hygiene after contact with infected persons,” the guidelines said.

About mode of transmission, the guidelines said that human-to-human transmission is known to occur primarily through large respiratory droplets generally requiring a prolonged close contact. It can also be transmitted through direct contact with body fluids or lesion material, and indirect contact with lesion material, such as through contaminated clothing or linens of an infected person, it added.

The guidelines further added that animal-to-human transmission may occur by bite or scratch of infected animals like small mammals including rodents (rats, squirrels) and non-human primates (monkeys, apes) or through bush meat preparation.

Maharashtra

Mumbai Municipal Corporation: Incinerator facility for cremation of small animals and birds will soon be available at the Tata Trust-run Animal Hospital

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Mumbai: A 50 kg per hour cremation system (Aatsh Kada) for the cremation of small animals and birds has been set up at the Mumbai Municipal Corporation and Tata Trusts Animal Hospital and is now ready for operation. The facility will enable safe and eco-friendly disposal of animal carcasses, Additional Municipal Commissioner (City) Dr (Summit) Ashwini Joshi said on Tuesday. Assistant Commissioner (South) Swapna Kashirsagar, Head of Veterinary Health Department Dr Kalimpasha Pathan, Director of the Hospital Mehrnoosh Kapadia, Head of Hospital Administration and Services Maj Gen Pramod Batra and others were present on the occasion. Various initiatives are being implemented by the Veterinary Health Department of Mumbai Municipal Corporation to enhance animal welfare services. For this purpose, a small animal hospital is being run by Tata Trusts in collaboration with the Municipal Corporation in Mahalaxmi. The four-storey hospital has four well-equipped operating theatres, a separate surgery department with expert veterinary surgeons, a treatment capacity of about 200 animals, general ward, ICU and high dependency unit, state-of-the-art diagnostic facilities like MRI, CT scan, X-ray, ultrasonography, ED labology and ED lab. It also has special treatment facilities like blood bank, dentistry, dermatology, ophthalmology, endoscopy, physiotherapy and hydrotherapy for animals. Additional Municipal Commissioner (City) Dr. Ashwani Joshi said on the occasion that it is the leading hospital in the country with multi-purpose service facilities, state-of-the-art diagnostic and small animal treatment facilities under one roof. Such state-of-the-art veterinary facilities have given a big boost to the veterinary healthcare system in Mumbai. Standard facilities for the treatment of pets and small animals have been provided. The hospital has also made arrangements for the scientific disposal of animal carcasses and bio-medical waste. An incinerator system with a capacity of 50 kg per hour has been set up for the cremation of small animals and birds and is now ready for operation. This facility will enable safe and environmentally friendly disposal of animal carcasses. He added that it will also have significant public health benefits.

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Maharashtra

Mumbai: Pay outstanding water bill before March 31, 2026, otherwise water connection will be disconnected: Municipal Corporation

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Mumbai: The Municipal Corporation is providing regular water supply to the citizens and the Municipal Corporation administration is appealing to all water connection holders to pay the pending water bills before March 31, 2026. It has also been warned that if the pending water bill is not paid within the stipulated time, the water connection will be disconnected. The Water Engineering Department of the Municipal Corporation has launched a comprehensive campaign for the recovery of outstanding water bills. Keeping this in mind, facilities have been provided at the civic amenities center at the nearest department office. In addition, water bills can be paid on the Municipal Corporation website https://aquaptax.mcgm.gov.in. By visiting this website, citizens can view their water bill information and make payments by logging in to the water department. Apart from this, the facility of paying water bills through digital channels like NEFT, online payment, mobile app is also available. If the pending water bill is not paid within the stipulated time i.e. before 31st March 2026, then action can be taken to disconnect the concerned water connection under Section 279 (1) (a) of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation Act, 1888. Water connection holders who have not received their water bills should contact their administrative department office (ward office). The Municipal Corporation is also providing information that citizens can obtain a copy of the water bill from the Municipal Corporation’s Aqua website or from the office of the concerned Assistant Engineer (Water Works).

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Maharashtra

Mumbai: Anti-trespass action taken by IMC at 13 unauthorized shops in Goregaon (Maghribi) area.

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Mumbai: Additional constructions of 3 shops on Swami Vivekananda Marg and 10 shops on 5D Road in Goregaon (West) were evicted today (March 10, 2026) by the ‘P’ department of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation.

The operation was conducted under the guidance of Deputy Commissioner (Zone-4) Smt. Bhagya Shri Kapse, and Assistant Commissioner (P South Division) Aniruddha Kulkarni.

It was found that unauthorized constructions on Swami Vivekananda Marg and 5D Road in Goregaon (West) were creating obstacles for pedestrians. In this backdrop, the Conservation, Encroachment Removal and Licensing Department, working under the ‘P South’ administrative division (ward) of the Municipal Corporation, jointly launched a drive. During this operation, 3 unauthorized constructions on Swami Vivekananda Marg were evicted. In addition, unauthorized additional constructions of 10 shops on 5D Road were removed. During this, eviction action was also taken against unauthorized hawkers in the area.

The action team included 5 officers and 25 employees of the Conservation, Encroachment Removal and Licensing Department working under the ‘P-South’ administrative division. 1 JCB, 1 truck, 1 cargo vehicle, gas cutter etc. were used for the operation. Adequate security was deployed by Bangur Nagar Police Station at that time.

Meanwhile, the administration is making it clear that regular action will continue against unauthorized constructions and unauthorized hawkers.

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