India has yet to report any official cases of the growing mpox viral infection. (Photo: Shutterstock)
Amid concerns about the mpox propagation (The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Delhi on Tuesday issued guidelines for the management of suspected cases at the Emergency Department of the Aiims, formerly known as monkeypox) in India.
It must be noted that India is yet to report any official case of the growing viral infection. However, the Centre has stepped up its efforts to deal with the possible outbreak, including implementing strict surveillance at borders and airports.
Last week, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared mpox a global public health emergency. The infection, which was previously limited to the Congo epidemic region in Africa, has now spread to some European countries and Pakistan, where four cases have been reported so far.
Aiims Delhi issues protocol for mpox patients
1) In a notice, Aiims said that upon arrival at the triage area, patients who present symptoms such as fever, rash or a history of contact with confirmed cases of mpox should be evaluated.
2) He highlighted the key symptoms of the disease: fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, swollen lymph nodes, chills, exhaustion and characteristic skin lesions (maculopapular rash that can progress to vesicles and pustules).
3) The patient should be immediately isolated, for which arrangements have been made at central hospitals. Safdarjung Hospital, located in the national capital, has been designated for definitive care of mpox patients, the notification said. Isolation facilities have also been prepared at Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital and Lady Hardinge Hospital, the Centre had said earlier.
4) In addition, Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) officials should be notified as soon as possible at this mobile number: 8745011784, when a suspected case is identified.
5) Any patient suspected of having monkeypox should be referred to Safdarjung Hospital for further evaluation and treatment, the notice said, adding that a dedicated ambulance has been allocated for the transfer of the patient.
6) The hospital also ordered its staff to wear protective equipment (PPE) when dealing with suspected cases and record all patient details for a coordinated and effective response.
First published: August 20, 2024 | 18:36 IS
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