India is prepared for monkeypox, no cases in country yet: ICMR

With monkeypox cases being identified across the world the Indian Council of Medical Research ICMR official on Friday said that India is prepared in view of increasing infections in the nonendemic countries however no cases have been reported in the country so farIn an exclusive interview with ANI Dr Aparna Mukherjee Scientist C ICMR said India is prepared for the infections as it is rapidly spreading in nonendemic countries like Europe USA and others However no cases have been reported in India so farThe health expert also emphasised keeping a close watch on unusual symptoms especially those who have a travel history from the monkeypoxinfected countriesWe should observe the unusual symptoms like high fever a lot of lymphadenopathies large lymph nodes body ache rashes etc especially those who have travel history from infected countries Dr Mukherjee saidPeople who witness the symptoms can get tested either from the fluid that comes out of those lesions or the respiratory samples and like National Institute of virology has the setting for testing these viruses she addedShe further said that people should not get panic and avoid close contact who test positive for monkeypoxPeople should not get panic about this disease its symptoms as it usually spreads by very close contact There are set guidelines for it which have already been published from ICMR NIV the ICMR official statedShe said Kids are more susceptible to the infection The elderly people would be vaccinated with the smallpox vaccine After the 1980s people who did not get the smallpox vaccine that gives crossimmunity to fight against the infection so the younger people will be more susceptible The treatment is the same for both children and adultsThis has been also reported in certain nonendemic countries including the USA UK Belgium France Germany Italy Netherlands Portugal Spain Sweden Australia Canada Austria Canary Islands Israel and SwitzerlandAccording to World Health Organization WHO nonendemic countries are those wherein the present series of outbreaks are being reported but it is for the first time that chains of transmission are being reported without known epidemiological linksA positive case will be considered only if it is confirmed for the monkeypox virus by detection of unique sequences of viral DNA either by polymerase chain reaction PCR andor sequencingMeanwhile sources said that the Union Health Ministry will soon be releasing guidelines on monkeypoxThe guidelines will include principles of management like isolation contact tracing contact monitoring preventive measures and risk assessmentThe guidelines will include the advisory for international travellers They should avoid close contact with sick people contact with dead or live wild animals such as mammals including rodents and nonhuman primates monkeys apes and contact with contaminated materials used by sick people should also be avoided Consult the nearest health facility if you develop symptoms suggestive of monkeypox like fever with rash or in case you were in an area where Monkeypox has been reported or in case you came in contact with a person who has symptoms of Monkeypox added sourcesThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever