Amidst rising cases of monkeypox, the district health authorities have issued an advisory to track suspected and probable cases of the disease. Though till now no suspected monkeypox cases have been reported in the district all private health establishments have been asked to keep a vigil.
The district health department has alerted prominent hospitals like Tata Main Hospital ( TMH), Tata Motors Hospital and MGM Medical College and Hospital along with Sadar Hospital.
The health authorities have received detailed guidelines over suspected cases and probabilities related to the disease have to be reported.
Monkeypox is a viral zoonotic disease, the first human transmission of which was recorded in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 1970. It primarily occurs in tropical rainforest regions of Africa, It is an infectious disease, its symptoms last two to four weeks (12 to 28 days) The fatality rate of monkeypox is about 3 to 6 per cent.
“Though not a single suspected case has been reported in the district, we have been asked to keep a vigil. We have alerted all the hospitals in the city to keep an eye,” said an official.
Suspected cases included those with a travel history (in the past 21 days) from any of the countries where monkeypox cases have already been reported, along with a display of its symptoms.
Probable cases include those with an epidemiological link (a background of having direct physical contact or exposure to a suspected and/or confirmed monkeypox patient).
Even as no such case has been reported in the district or state yet, advisories have been issued to all private hospitals and SMOs for a continuous scrutiny of such cases.
Administrator of MGM Medical College and Hospital, AK Lala said that they want to take every precautionary step to deal with the situation. He said that over 300 patients are turning up at the hospital's OPD every day and as the flu is spreading rapidly across the country it is important to take some preventive measures by the staff. He, however, was prompted to add that no suspected case has been reported at the medical college and hospital.
A city-based dermatologist informed that people are also complaining of burnt skin and rashes in the body due to rising mercury.“I am of the opinion that people should avoid direct sunlight on their skin. It is equally important to wear a cap or gloves while riding or traveling. People should avoid eating food from outside and also dress according to the climate,” he noted.