The first case of the monkeypox virus has been detected in Delhi. The patient, who has been admitted to the city’s Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Hospital, has no history of foreign travel, reported India Today.
This is the fourth confirmed case of the monkeypox virus being reported in India.
The 34-year-old man had recently attended a stag party in Himachal Pradesh’s Manali. He was admitted to the hospital around three days ago with fever and skin lesions.
As per the report, his samples were sent to the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune on Saturday, which came out positive.
Dr. Suresh Kumar said, “Actually, this virus is different from Corona. Monkeypox is a DNA virus. If a person suffering from monkeypox has weak immunity, then the risk is high. The corona vaccine has no effect on it. This disease affects the skin and can also affect the brain or eyes.”
“While taking care of a patient who has tested positive for monkeypox, one has to make sure that there is no fever, the patient is not dehydrated and all basic tests have been conducted,” Dr. Kumar said.
The patient is being treated in the isolation ward of LNJP hospital. At present, six beds have been arranged in this ward. A team of 20 doctors including skin specialists, physicians, microbiologists as well as nursing staff and health workers is currently monitoring the patient.
As per the report, the close contacts of the patients have been identified and are under quarantine. Further public health interventions like identification of the source of infection, enhanced contact tracing, testing sensitization of private practitioners, etc., are being carried out.
The first case of Monkeypox was detected in Delhi. The patient is stable and recovering.
There’s no need to panic. The situation is under control.
We have made a separate isolation ward at LNJP. Our best team is on the case to prevent the spread and protect Delhiites.
Earlier, three cases of monkeypox were reported in Kerala.
On Saturday, the WHO declared monkeypox a global public health emergency of international concern.
According to sources in the health ministry, surveillance will be increased for people coming in from countries where monkeypox has become prevalent.
So far, 16 labs have been set up in India for testing samples of the monkeypox virus, reads the report.
