ICMR’s warning on monkeypox, this disease is a big threat to young children; 226 cases found in 21 countries in just 20 days
Seeing the rapid spread of monkeypox infection, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has issued a warning. The health agency says that young children are more prone to this disease, due to which its symptoms will have to be monitored. At present, not a single case of monkeypox has been confirmed in India, but the government is on high alert regarding this infection.
On the other hand, Indian private health device company Trivitron Healthcare has prepared an RT-PCR test kit to test for monkeypox. This kit will be able to give results within 1 hour.
More than 226 cases in 21 countries
The first case of monkeypox was reported in Argentina on Friday. The patient has recently returned from Spain. A suspected patient of the virus has also been found in the country. Earlier on Tuesday, monkeypox was also confirmed in a woman who returned to the UAE from West Africa.
Let us inform that so far 226 cases of monkeypox have been confirmed in 21 countries. The WHO said on Friday that nearly 100 suspected patients have been reported from countries where monkeypox is not commonly found. The first case of monkeypox was reported in the UK on 7 May.
However, it is a matter of relief that no genetic changes have been found so far in the monkeypox virus. That is, the virus has not yet mutated in humans. How this disease spread outside Africa, scientists are still trying to find out.
Spain becomes epicenter of monkeypox
Spain is believed to be the epicenter of this month’s monkeypox outbreak. Till Friday, 98 cases have been confirmed here. At the same time, 106 patients in Britain and 74 in Portugal are in the grip of this rare disease. Apart from this, monkeypox has spread to many countries including Canada, Belgium, France, Germany, Australia, Israel, Italy and America.
On Monday, World Health Organization (WHO) advisor Dr David Heyman told the news agency AP that the reason for the spread of monkeypox infection among gay men could be two gay sex parties in Spain and Belgium. Monkeypox is not a sexually transmitted disease (STD). However, coming close to an infected person during sex can spread the disease.
In view of the rapidly spreading infection among gay men, WHO has also issued an alert. The health agency says that if a person shows symptoms of monkeypox, do not make skin-to-skin, face-to-face and sexual contact with him. Wear a mask and wash your hands whenever you come close to the patient.
Symptoms of monkeypox include a pus-filled rash all over the body, fever, swollen lymph nodes, headache, muscle aches, and fatigue.
Patients in the UK will distance themselves from pets
Britain’s UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has asked patients infected with monkeypox to keep a distance of at least 3 weeks from pets. According to the guideline, patients who have rodents like rats and squirrels in their house, they will keep these animals in quarantine for 21 days. At the same time, patients who have dogs and cats in their homes, they will also have to undergo regular vet checkups by keeping the animals in isolation. Actually, this disease can spread to both animals and humans.
