India’s ministry of health and family welfare will be issuing comprehensive guidelines later this week for the treatment and prevention of monkeypox amid an outbreak of the viral disease.
This rare disease has registered nearly 100 confirmed cases globally.
The decision to issue guidelines was taken at a meeting held on Monday. Attended by officials from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). World Health Organization (WHO), National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), clinicians and health ministry. To set up standard operating procedures for internationals who show symptoms of the disease after returning from affected countries.
The detailed descriptive guidelines will include identifying sick patients at airports, lab tests, symptoms, prevention, surveillance strategies, reporting to hospitals and community awareness.
As per the WHO, more than 92 cases have been reported from a dozen countries so far. “We should not be worried about monkeypox but vigilant.” Said Dr Nivedita Gupta, senior scientist of ICMR.
Ministry of health and ICMR is forming the guidelines for monkeypox with regards to the treatment, prevention, community awareness, signs and symptoms of monkeypox. As well as isolation of sick patients who returned from monkeypox affected countries. Moreover, surveillance strategy at the airports and sea ports. So, these are going to be comprehensive guidelines. Which the ministry of health is likely to release in the coming days”. Said Dr Nivedita Gupta, senior scientist of ICMR.
