Bengaluru: The state government has identified Indiranagar, Bengaluru, and Wenlock Hospital, Mangaluru as referral hospitals to isolate and manage any suspected MPOX case at airports and ports.
In a circular issued on Tuesday, state health commissioner D Randeep directed officials managing points of entry through airports and Mangaluru port and all healthcare facilities in the state to track, isolate and document suspected cases of monkeypox. All district hospitals and medical college hospitals in the state will be designated to isolate and manage any suspected case in the state.
After the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared monkeypox a 'public health emergency of international concern' earlier this month and cases were reported in Sweden and Pakistan, the Centre has directed all states to be prepared for suspected cases. There are currently no active cases of monkeypox in India.
Recommended surveillance measures at airports and ports include identifying people arriving from affected countries and those who have come in contact with a known case of ampox in the previous 21 days.
All clinical samples from any suspected case should be taken to the Virus Research and Diagnostic Laboratory, Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute, Bengaluru.
Anyone testing positive for ampox should be isolated for at least 21 days or until the rash has completely healed.
The government has also shared the format of a self-reporting document to be filled by passengers, which is to be uploaded by port authorities on the Integrated Health Information Platform. The authorities should also keep a list of people travelling with each suspected case ready and share it with state or district surveillance authorities if the person tests positive.
Signs and symptoms
– Days zero to five: fever, chills and sweats, swollen lymph nodes, headache, muscle aches and fatigue, sore throat and cough
Rashes appear one to three days after the fever
– Often painful lesions on the face, palms and soles
Published 27 August 2024, 17:09 First