Monkeypox: Karnataka CM holds high-level meeting, designates 2 hospitals for treatment

No need to panic

CM Bommai interacting with Dr K Sudhakar on Monkeypox situation in state/Supplied

Health Minister K Sudhakar told reporters after the meeting that there was no need to panic about Monkeypox, and that the government is taking all precautionary measures, including thermal screening, at airports.

“About 20,000 cases have been reported in 80 countries around the world. India has reported eight cases but there have been no cases in Karnataka,” he said.

Three suspected cases in Karnataka

Sudhakar also said three suspected cases of Monkeypox had been reported in Bengaluru.

While two of them tested negative, one patient — a Belgian national — in the Uttara Kannada district was under observation because his reports are awaited.

21 days of isolation

The state, based on suggestions by infectious-disease experts in the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) formed to guide it on Covid-19, has decided to isolate and treat patients for 21 days until the rashes on the skin are cured.

Meanwhile, asking people not to panic, Sudhakar stressed the need to maintain hygiene.

He said, “Studies indicate that Monkeypox is not as contagious as Covid-19 and it spreads only when a person is in prolonged contact with the infected person. However I appeal to people to maintain hygiene and follow all precautionary measures.”

District administrations alerted

All district administrations have been alerted and instructed to take precautionary measures.

Strict surveillance has been ordered and strict vigil on districts bordering Kerala.

Sudhakar also said that a separate clinical treatment guideline had already been sent to doctors at all district hospitals on the identification of and treatment protocols for Monkeypox to be followed if anyone was found symptomatic or tested positive.

Symptoms

How a monkeypox blister looks like/Creative Commons

Fever, rashes on the skin, and the swelling of lymph nodes are some of the common symptoms of Monkeypox.

India has so far reported eight cases of Monkeypox.

While five are from Kerala, three have been confirmed in Delhi.

One death due to Monkeypox has been reported in Kerala.