Ludhiana: Health officials on toes amid monkeypox threat

Tribune News Service

Manav Mander

Ludhiana, August 1

The fourth monkeypox case, which was reported from Delhi recently, has set the alarming bells ringing in the Health Department. The department is taking precautionary steps and already sensitised the staff about the disease due to Punjab’s proximity to Delhi.

Precautions & Symptoms

• It is a viral zoonosis-virus transmitted to humans from animals with symptoms similar to those seen in the past in smallpox patients
• Avoid close, skin to skin contact with infected person. Maintain physical distance. Wash your hands regularly. Isolate infected person as soon as possible
• Symptoms include fever, headache, swollen lymph nodes, chills, exhaustion muscle aches and rashes, resembling pimples, on different body parts

On the directions of the Health Department, we have sensitised the staff of the department regarding the disease. They have been made told about the symptoms, handling of monkeypox patients and other precautions. An advisory has been shared with all private and government healthcare facilities — Dr Hatinder, Civil surgoen

“On the directions from the department we have already sensitised the staff of the department regarding the disease. They have been made told about the symptoms and precautions to be taken. The staff has been sensitised on handling patients of monkeypox about their isolation and other precautions. Advisory has been shared with all the private and government healthcare facilities,” said Civil Surgeon Dr Hatinder.

The disease causes flu-like symptoms such as fever and chills, and rashes that can take weeks to clear. It is transmitted to humans through a person or animal who is infected by the virus. It can also spread through material contaminated by the virus. One can contract monkeypox by coming in contact with the body fluids, lesions, respiratory droplets and materials like the bedding of the infected person, added Civil Surgeon.

“The incubation period of monkeypox is from 6 to 13 days but can range from 5 to 21 days. It can be divided into two periods, the invasion period and the skin eruption period,” said a medicine specialist from private hospital.

She further said that patient should seek medical advise after seeing symptoms and should be given fluids and food to maintain adequate nutritional status. Keeping yourself hydrated is important, she added.

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