In view of increase in number of monkeypox cases in different countries, the central government has issued guidelines on management of the disease as a preventive step to ensure preparedness although there have not been any reported cases in the country as of yet. The ministry mentioned that even one single case is to be considered as an outbreak. Hence, India needs to be prepared in view of the increasing reports of cases in non-endemic
countries.
Symptoms:
Swollen lymph nodes
a) Fever
b) Headache
c) Body aches
d) profound weakness
e) Pain in eye or blurring of vision
f) Shortness of breath, chest pain, difficulty in breathing
g) Altered consciousness, seizure
h) Decrease in urine output
i) Poor oral intake
j) Lethargy
Surveillance Strategies
The aims of the proposed surveillance strategy are to rapidly identify cases and clusters of
infections and the sources of infections as soon as possible in order to:
a) isolate cases to prevent further transmission
b) provide optimal clinical care
c) identify and manage contacts
d) protect front-line health workers
e) effective control and preventive measures based on the identified routes of transmission.
Diagnosis
The collected sample will be sent to Pune for further testing.
Management:
a) Patient isolation
b) Protection of compromised skin and mucous membranes
c) Re-hydration therapy and Nutritional support
d) Symptom alleviation
e) Monitoring and treatment of complication
Patient isolation:
a) Isolation of the patient in an isolation room of the hospital/ at home in a separate room
with separate ventilation
b) Patient to wear a triple layer mask
c) Skin lesions should be covered to the best extent possible (e.g. long sleeves, long pants)
to minimize risk of contact with others
d) Isolation to be continued until all lesions have resolved and scabs have completely fallen
off
Affected individuals should avoid close contact with immunocompromised persons and
pregnant women until all crusts are gone. Isolation precautions should be continued until all
lesions have resolved and a fresh layer of skin has formed.
Preventive Measures
a) Avoid contact with any materials, such as bedding, that has been in contact with a sick
person.
b) Isolate infected patients from others.
c) Practice good hand hygiene after contact with infected animals or humans. For example,
washing your hands with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
d) Use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) when caring for patients
The directive was followed by a meeting in Delhi with experts, among others, from ICMR, NIV, National Center for disease control and AIIMS
Ms Kalinga