Monkeypox virus, disease outbreak: Centre mulls fresh guidelines as cases spiral

Monkeypox virus, disease outbreak: As the Monkeypox cases continue to spiral in the country, the government is preparing to issue fresh guidelines to arrest the spread of the virus. Earlier on Thursday, the Union Health Ministry at a high-level meeting with health experts invited suggestions regarding emergency medical relief (EMR) to deal with the virus.

According to sources, the Health Ministry has taken into account the suggestions recommended by the experts and will soon release fresh guidelines on Monkeypox management.

India has so far reported 9 cases of Monkeypox including one death. 

Yesterday's meeting was chaired by Dr L Swasticharan, director of Emergency Medical Relief and attended by officials from the National Aids Control Organisation, National Centre for Disease Control and World Health Organisation (WHO) representatives.

First identified in monkeys, the virus is transmitted chiefly through close contact with an infected person. It typically causes mild symptoms including fever, rash, swollen lymph nodes and pus-filled skin lesions. Severe cases can occur though people tend to recover within two to four weeks, according to the WHO.

The incubation period is usually from six to 13 days and the case fatality rate of monkeypox has historically ranged up to 11 percent in the general population and higher among children. In recent times, the case fatality rate has been around three to six percent.

(Inputs from agency)