A suspected case of monkeypox has come to light in Telangana. A 40-year-old man from Kamareddy, who returned from Kuwait on July 6, developed a skin rash and fever.
The person developed fever on 20th July and rash on 23rd July. The patient contacted the doctor at a private hospital in the district. Seeing the symptoms of monkeypox, the doctor has directed the patient to the government district hospital.
The patient was admitted to Sir Ronald Ross Institute for Tropical and Communicable Diseases, Hyderabad, Hyderabad in an ambulance from Kamareddy on Sunday night. The government health facility is prominently known as Fever Hospital.
Fever Hospital superintendent K. Shankar told that the patient’s condition is stable. Five types of samples will be collected from the patient, which include blood, urine, wounds and throat swabs. Director of Public Health G. Srinivasa Rao said the samples would be sent to the National Institute of Virology (NIV) Pune for testing.
The senior health official said that six people who came in direct contact with the suspected case have been identified. “None of them have symptoms. However, he was isolated. There is no need to panic people with monkeypox. It is not a fatal infection,” said Dr Srinivasa Rao.
The health machinery of the state has been put on alert. Senior health officials have insisted that this is only a suspected case as of now.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the global monkeypox outbreak a ‘Public Health Emergency of International Concern’ (PHEIC). The outbreak has affected more than 14,500 people in 72 countries.
A week ago, Health Minister T. Harish Rao had said that suspected cases of monkeypox in the state would be treated immediately at the fever hospital.
People with symptoms of the disease were urged to go to the nearest government hospital and get a basic test done. Earlier, Mr. Harish Rao has asked people to dial 040-24651119, 9030227324 for information on monkeypox. The helpline numbers can also be used for information about health services, seasonal diseases in the flood affected areas.