New Delhi: Rising cases of monkeypox have raised concerns about other sexually transmitted diseases, with HIV being the most feared. A top scientist at the Indian Council of Medical Research-National Institute of Virology (ICMR-NIV) said on Monday that the increasing cases of monkeypox will not lead to Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), news agency ANI reported.Also Read – Monkeypox virus can live on computer mouse, coffee machine, other common household items: CDC study
In an exclusive interview with ANI, Dr. Pragya Yadav, senior scientist at ICMR-NIV, Pune, said, “Increase in monkeypox cases will not lead to HIV. These monkeypox cases may have been tested for HIV during a detailed diagnosis to rule out other sexually transmitted infections (STI).” Also Read – India’s first indigenous monkeypox test kit launched to help early detection of infection
While discussing the possibility of asymptomatic monkeypox patients and the importance of serological monitoring, Dr. Yadav said, “Monkeypox cases can be asymptomatic. To carry out such studies, an ELISA assay is currently being developed.” Also Read – The US The woman explains how she contracted monkeypox and that it was not through sex. Watch the viral video
Is the smallpox vaccine effective against monkeypox?
When asked about the effectiveness of the smallpox vaccine against monkeypox, she said that the smallpox vaccine is 86 percent effective in preventing monkeypox.
On the first monkeypox-related death in Kerala
Dr. Commenting on the first case of monkeypox-related mortality in Kerala, Yadav said, “No other etiology was found for encephalitis in the fatal case and the patient was already confirmed to have the disease. Therefore, monkeypox could be a possible cause of death.
ICMR is expanding the lab network
She further added that the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) is also expanding its network of laboratories. “ICMR is expanding the laboratory network to increase capacity. We are in the process of developing serological assays and working towards a vaccine as per the expression of interest released by ICMR,” she said.
Can monkeypox virus spread from humans to dogs?
According to a recent study in The Lancet, the monkeypox virus can be transmitted from humans to dogs, Dr. Yadav said. “Men who share the same house and sleep close together with their dogs are thought to cause transmission,” she added.
(with inputs from ANI)
(ANI)
