The monkeypox scare is spreading. Panic has spread in the country when a suspected patient is found. State governments have also started taking precautions in this regard. In this situation, the central government has issued guidelines on monkeypox. Those suspected to be infected with monkeypox have also been advised to undergo screening and testing. Contact tracing and isolation have also been ordered.
An Indian citizen returning from abroad has tested positive for monkeypox, the central government has said. But the central government has instructed the states and union territories to be prepared in advance to prevent the spread of the disease in any way.
The Centre has appealed not to spread panic over monkeypox. Screening and testing of blood and saliva samples should be made mandatory if anyone shows symptoms of the virus. The Union Health Ministry has also ordered contact tracing and isolation.
The Centre on Monday issued guidelines to all states and Union Territories after a foreign returnee suspected to be infected with monkeypox. The Centre has asked states to identify nodal hospitals. Where the suspected patient will be kept in isolation. It has also been asked to create or identify such centres separately. It has also been asked to identify laboratories for testing.
Contact tracing is very important to identify patients with monkeypox and reduce the spread of infection as much as possible, the guidelines said. Emphasis has been laid on preparing like a corona period to deal with monkeypox infection.
Union Health Minister JP Nadda has ordered advance arrangements to prevent the spread of monkeypox in the country. He mentioned a number of precautionary measures. The list includes sanitisation, cleanliness of every health centre and hospital, and screening at airports, ports, and ground crossings. Apart from this, the Union Health Minister has directed to keep health infrastructure ready in 32 laboratories in the country.
