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Monkeypox alert: UP rolls out measures for identification of suspected patients, infection control
Covid health facilities across the state have been asked to keep 10 beds reserved for monkeypox cases, in case patients need admission
LUCKNOW In wake of monkeypox cases surfacing in the country, Uttar Pradesh has rolled out measures to identify suspected cases and control the spread of infection.
“If people think they have monkeypox-like symptoms, they should seek advice from health care providers and contact the chief medical officer of the district concerned,” said state surveillance officer Dr Vikasendu Agarwal.
Covid health facilities across UP have been asked to keep 10 beds reserved for monkeypox cases, in case patients need admission, said the press statement from the state government. Screening of international travellers at airports has already been intensified while a meeting between health department and airport health staff has also been conducted.
He said training of health staff will be conducted on Tuesday for better screening of people having symptoms of monkeypox, particularly those travelling from other countries to Uttar Pradesh. It will be in two parts - the first will have teams of district surveillance officers across 75 districts of the state and the second will include master trainers at the block level.
“Testing of samples of suspected cases will be done at the King George’s Medical University,” said Agrawal.
“Monkeypox symptoms include fever, muscle ache, intense headaches, swollen lymph nodes, skin rashes or lesions, low energy and back pain,” said Dr Abhishek Shukla, secretary general, Association of International Doctors. WHO describes it as a “self-limited disease with symptoms lasting from two to four weeks.”
Monkeypox can also be transmitted to humans through close contact with a person or animal, or with material contaminated with the virus.
