MPox: AIIMS Delhi issues Monkeypox treatment guidelines

AIIMS Delhi on Tuesday issued guidelines for handling suspected Monkeypox patients and allocated five beds for treatment in isolationThe standard operating procedures SOP stated that the suspected patients should be immediately placed in a designated isolation area to minimise contact with other patients and staffThe World Health Organization WHO has declared Monkeypox outbreak as a public health emergency of international concern raising the need for heightened awareness of the disease rapid identification and stringent infection control measures to prevent further spread the Centrerun institute said in a statementAccording to the AIIMS SOP document Monkeypox is a viral zoonosis with symptoms similar to those seen in the past in smallpox patients although clinically less severeThe document outlined necessary steps to handle such cases in the AIIMS emergency departmentAccording to the protocol upon arrival patients with fever rash or a history of contact with confirmed Monkeypox cases should be flagged for immediate assessmentIt also called for identifying key symptoms such as fever headache muscle aches back pain swollen lymph nodes chills exhaustion and characteristic skin lesions maculopapular rash that may progress to vesicles and pustulesFive beds have been earmarked in the AB7 ward to isolate the Monkeypox cases the document saidThese beds will be allotted to patients on the recommendation of the chief medical officer of the emergency wing who will then be treated by the medicine departmentThe AB7 ward shall remain a temporary holding area for the patients until they are shifted to the hospital earmarked for the definitive care Safdarjung Hospital the document saidThe SOPs also directed officials to inform the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme IDSP when a suspected Monkeypox case is identified and provide them with the patients details brief history clinical findings and contact detailsAny person suspected of suffering from the disease should be referred to the Safdarjung Hospital for further evaluation and treatment as it has been designated for managing and treating such patients the guidelines saidA dedicated ambulance has also been allotted to shift the patients to the Safdarjung HospitalAccording to the SOPs all Monkeypox patients should be handled with strict infection control measures and the staff should use personal protective equipment PPE when dealing with themBesides proper documentation of the patients details symptoms and referral process should be maintained the document addedAmid the Monkeypox outbreak in neighbouring countries the Union Health Ministry has asked all airports as well as authorities at land ports on borders with Bangladesh and Pakistan to remain alert about incoming international passengers reporting Monkeypox symptoms official sources said on SundayThe ministry has identified three Centrerun hospitals Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital Safdarjung and Lady Hardinge as nodal centres in the national capital for isolation management and treatment of any patient with MonkeypoxThis 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