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Viral infections cause fever, headache, rash, pus lesions, and flu-like symptoms that are usually mild but can lead to death in some cases. (Getty)
Standard operating procedures (SOPs) stipulate that suspected patients should be immediately placed in designated isolation areas to minimize contact with other patients and staff
AIIMS Delhi on Tuesday issued guidelines for handling suspected monkeypox patients and allotted five beds for isolation treatment.
The standard operating procedure (SOP) states that suspected patients should be immediately placed in designated isolation areas to minimize contact with other patients and staff.
The institute run by the center said the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the monkeypox outbreak a public health emergency of international concern, necessitating increased awareness of the disease, rapid identification and strict infection control measures to prevent spread further.
According to the AIIMS SOP document, monkeypox is a viral zoonosis with symptoms similar to those seen in smallpox patients in the past, although less clinically severe.
The document outlines the necessary steps for handling such cases at the AIIMS Emergency Department.
According to the post-arrival protocol, patients who develop fever, rash, or have been exposed to a confirmed case of monkeypox should be flagged for immediate evaluation.
It also requires recognition of key symptoms such as fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, swollen lymph nodes, chills, fatigue and characteristic skin lesions (a maculopapular rash that may develop into blisters and pustules).
Five beds have been earmarked for isolation of monkeypox cases in the AB-7 ward, the document said.
The beds will be allocated to patients based on the recommendation of the Chief Medical Officer of the Emergency Department, who will then be treated by the medical department.
Ward AB-7 will remain a temporary holding area for patients until they are transferred to Safdarjung Hospital, a hospital designated for final care, the document said.
The SOP also directs officials to notify the Integrated Disease Surveillance Program (IDSP) when a suspected case of monkeypox is detected and provide them with the patient's details, brief medical history, clinical findings and contact information.
Anyone suspected of suffering from the disease should be referred to Safdarjung Hospital for further evaluation and treatment as the hospital has been designated for the management and treatment of such patients, the guidelines said.
A special ambulance was also allocated to shift the patient to Safdarjung Hospital.
As per standard operating procedures, all monkeypox patients should follow strict infection control measures and staff should use personal protective equipment (PPE) when handling them.
Additionally, appropriate records of patient details, symptoms and referral process should also be maintained, the document added.
Amid an outbreak of monkeypox in neighboring countries, the Union health ministry has asked authorities at all airports and land crossings bordering Bangladesh and Pakistan to remain vigilant against incoming international travelers reporting symptoms of monkeypox, official sources said on Sunday.
The ministry has identified three centre-run hospitals – Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, Safdarjung Hospital and Lady Hardinge Hospital – as nodes for isolation, management and treatment of any monkeypox patient in the national capital center.
(This report has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from United News Agency-PTI)
