Suspected cases of Monkeypox have been reported in Telangana. Samples collected from such people have been sent to the National Institue of Virology (NIV)-Pune for tests. Health officials have been asked to stay on alert for people with unexplained rash. This is necessary as the cases of the zoonotic virus Monkeypox have paralyzed the world with fear. Also, the number of cases being reported is on the continuous rise. According to the World Health Organization, over 200 cases of infection have been reported so far.
Let’s have a look at the prevention and treatment guidelines for monkeypox issued by the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Prevention
- Avoid contact with animals. Do not make contact with animals infected with the virus such as sick animals. Also, don’t go close to areas where animals were the disease occurred and animals wered found dead.
- Don’t use bedding, clothes, towels, etc which were used with an infected animal or person.
- The infected person must be isolated as it is important to prevent the spread of the virus.
- In case you were in contact with the infected animal or human, make sure to wash your hands with soap and water or clean it with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Those who are taking care of infected people closely should wear protective personal equipment (PPE).
The disease will last for 2-4 weeks in an infected person. According to WHO, children are more susceptible to the virus and may face more severe symptoms.
How to deal with those infected
- Patients with extensive lesions or respiratory symptoms must be kept in in a room or area separate from other family members and pets.
- Those who are infected must wear a surgical mask and so should the other household members.
- Skin lesions should be properly covered to the best extent possible. One should wear long sleeves, long pants, bandages to minimize contact with others.
- Keep dishes and utensils of infected people sepearate.
- Maintaining hand hygiene is important by infected humans and household contacts as well after touching lesion material, clothing, other surfaces.
- In other words, the procedure followed in case of a suspected or confirmed case is the same as that observed during COVID-19 outbreak.
