Amid Mpox Surge, Health Ministry Issues Fresh Guidelines, Delhi AIIMS Sets Up Protocol For Suspected Patients

Though India has not yet reported any Mpox cases, but the threat remains a concern. To handle such cases if detected, the Delhi-based All India Institute of Medical Sciences has circulated fresh standard operating procedures on how to manage such patients. This comes amid increasing attention and preventative measures from the Ministry of Health.

Health Ministry Issues Mpox Advisory

The Ministry of Health recently shared information on Mpox on the social media platform X. They explained that Mpox is a viral illness that can be managed with supportive care. They urged people to learn about its symptoms, how it spreads, and preventive measures. The Ministry emphasized contacting a health facility immediately if anybody experiences the symptoms or has been in contact with a confirmed Mpox case.

Mpox is a viral illness that can be managed with supportive care. Learn how it spreads, recognize the symptoms, and follow these prevention tips.

If you experience symptoms or have been in contact with a confirmed Mpox case, contact your nearest health facility immediately. For… pic.twitter.com/6wUlumPg9f

— Ministry of Health (@MoHFW_INDIA) August 20, 2024

Though the country has not reported any cases of Mpox yet, AIIMS Delhi has already put precautionary measures. The institute has already prepared a protocol for dealing with suspected monkeypox cases for timely and efficient management.

Monkeypox is a viral zoonosis expressing symptoms reminiscent of smallpox but in a comparatively milder form. Recently, WHO announced the outbreak of monkeypox as a public health emergency of international concern. This declaration put the bells ringing and brought the world to high alert about awareness and stringent infection control measures.

Also Read: As Mpox Cases Surge Worldwide, Centre Orders Airports To Stay Alert, Increased Testing At Hospitals

AIIMS Protocol For Mpox Cases

AIIMS Delhi's SOP charts a clear course of action for attending to suspected cases reaching their emergency ward. Any patient who comes with fever, rash, or a history of contact with laboratory-confirmed monkeypox cases should be immediately highlighted for assessment. Essential symptoms include fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, swollen lymph nodes, chills, exhaustion, and characteristic skin rashes that can progress from maculopapular to vesicles and further to pustules.

To reduce the risk of exposure, patients suspected of infection will be put under isolation. AIIMS has identified beds in the AB-7 section—numbers 33 through 37—for this purpose. These beds will form a place of temporary holding until such time that patients can be sent to Safdarjung Hospital for definitive care.

These isolation beds, in case of a suspected monkeypox case, shall be advised by the Emergency CMO. Notification to IDSP through a call at 8745011784 is to be sent. Informed about the patient's details, history, clinical findings, and contact information, the IDSP shall be informed.

Transport and Treatment Protocol For Mpox

Patients suspected of Monkeypox will be sent to Safdarjung Hospital, earmarked for management and treatment of these cases. AIIMS has provided a dedicated ambulance for transporting the patients to Safdarjung Hospital. In case of transfer, the emergency staff must contact the ambulance coordinator at 8929683898.

The suspected cases will be managed with strict infection control measures. The staff shall be provided with appropriate PPE for safety reasons. All data pertaining to patients regarding their details, symptoms, and processes for referral shall be properly recorded.

Also Read: Mpox Virus Scare In Varanasi; Health Department Sounds Alarm, Issues Guidelines