The health department of Rajasthan issued an advisory on Monday regarding Monkeypox after its cases were reported in Australia, Canada, UK, and USA. Given the cases of monkeypox found in these countries, the state health department asked officials to remain alert and keep a check on people.
According to the advisory issued by the Health Department, Rajasthan, Travellers from Europe, Australia, the USA, and Canada who returned to Rajasthan will be traced. After getting the suspects, they will be screened and isolated. Their blood samples or sputum samples will be sent to the National Institute of Virology (NIV) Pune. Those coming in contact with them will also be investigated.
As per a health department official, “If any cases of monkeypox are reported in the state, the patients will have to be in isolation wards just like Covid patients to prevent the spread of the virus besides conducting contact tracing.”
“All expected cases will be isolated at designated healthcare centers till all their lesions have settled and a fresh layer of skin has formed. The isolation may also end when the physician treating them decides to end,” he added.
What is Monkeypox?
According to experts associated with the Health Department, Monkeypox is caused by the monkeypox virus, a member of the Orthopoxvirus genus in the family Poxviridae. It is a viral disease that is primarily found in tropical rainforest areas of central and west Africa and is sometimes sent out to other countries. First observed in monkeys, it is also spread by rodents.
How does it spread?
This virus is communicated to humans through close contact with an infected person or animal, or with materials contaminated with the virus. This virus can enter the body by close contact with lesions, body fluids, respiratory droplets, and contaminated materials. Apart from this, monkeypox can also be spread by the biting of animals such as monkeys, rats, and squirrels or by coming in contact with their blood or body fluids.
What are the symptoms?
The preliminary symptoms in patients with monkeypox are flu-like. These include fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, shivering, fatigue, and swollen lymph nodes. After this, the rash starts to appear on the face, which also spreads to other parts of the body. These symptoms can appear from the 5th day to the 21st day of infection. Given this, the health department officials have been directed to keep a check on people who have an unexplained rash.
As per the observations made by WHO, “It is less contagious than smallpox and causes less severe illness. Vaccines used for smallpox also provided safety against monkeypox. Also, new vaccines have been developed which have proved effective for prevention of monkeypox.”
Cases have been found in these countries
Cases of monkeypox have been found in Europe, Italy, Sweden, France, Germany, Portugal, Spain, and Belgium. Apart from this, infected cases have also been reported in the United Kingdom (UK), America, Australia, and Canada. According to experts, cases of this infection are usually found in Central and West African countries, where it rains more.
Flights to Jaipur come from Gulf countries
International flights operate from Jaipur Airport in Rajasthan. Regular flights come here from the Gulf countries of Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Muscat, and Sharjah. Apart from this, flight operations have also started for Bangkok this month. Many travelers come to Rajasthan from European countries via Dubai and Sharjah. So, more attention would be needed for these passengers.