Outbreak of monkeypox: As the global community grapples with another public health crisis of international concern and cases of monkeypox are on the rise in India, the Union Health Ministry has issued a set of guidelines to avoid contracting the disease and do’s and don’ts. This comes a day after the Ministry of Health wrote to the WHO representative in the UAE that air passengers showing symptoms of monkeypox are not allowed to board flights to reduce the risk of contracting the disease. Referring to the three cases where travelers from the UAE had arrived in India, Union Health Ministry Joint Secretary Lav Aggarwal, in a letter to Executive Director and IHR Focal Point, United Arab Emirates, Dr Hussain Abdul Rehman Ali Rand, said they had already. Exhibiting symptoms suggestive of monkeypox disease before arrival in India.Also Read – Monkeypox scare: After issuing guidelines, Karnataka designates 2 hospitals to treat patients
Eight cases of monkeypox have been reported in India, including one death. The Center has also constituted a Task Force on Monkeypox to closely monitor the emerging situation in the country and decide on response initiatives to tackle the spread of the disease. Also Read – Monepox in the US: Emergency declared in California three days after New York
A list of dos and don’ts to prevent monkeypox
Dos
- Isolate infected patients from others
- Wash your hands with soap and water or use hand sanitizer
- When around infected persons, wear a mask and disposable gloves
- Use pesticides for environmental sanitation
do not
- Do not share linens, bedding or towels with people suffering from monkeypox
- Do not wash soiled linen or laundry of infected persons with non-infected persons
- Do not attend public events if you have symptoms of monkeypox
- Don’t stigmatize groups of people based on misinformation
What is monkeypox?
Monkeypox (MPX) is a viral zoonotic disease with smallpox-like symptoms, however
with less clinical severity. Monkeypox is usually a self-limiting disease with symptoms lasting 2 to 4 weeks. Severe cases are more common in children and are related to the amount of virus
Exposure, patient health status and nature of complications. Asymptomatic to the extent
Infection is unknown. Also Read – Delhi reports third case of monkeypox as another Nigerian man tests positive, taking total to 8 in India
Monkeypox usually presents with fever, rash and swollen lymph nodes and can lead to a range of medical complications. It is usually a self-limiting disease with symptoms lasting two to four weeks.
The ‘Guidelines on the Management of Monkeypox Disease’ issued by the Center states that human-to-human transmission occurs mainly through large respiratory droplets which usually require prolonged close contact.
It can also be transmitted through direct contact with body fluids or lesions, and through indirect contact with wound materials such as contaminated clothing or linen of an infected person. Animal-to-human transmission can occur through bites or scratches from infected animals or through the preparation of tree meat.
Who can get monkeypox?
Anyone can get monkeypox if they have prolonged or repeated contact with an infected person.
