WITH the country still grappling for a complete Coronavirus free environment, the danger of Monkeypox is looming large and alert has been sounded to counter the deadly virus if it surfaces in India.

Meanwhile, steps are being taken for awareness on the increasing cases of Monkeypox in several countries and preparations have started for monitoring across Chhattisgarh.

The State Administration has already directed the Chief Medical Officers in all districts to be alert and organise awareness programmes locally to apprise the public of the impending danger. At the same time, medicines needed for treatment of Monkeypox are being availed in all district hospitals as well as private hospitals to enable immediate treatment of patients with symptoms of the deadly virus in State. Arrangement has been made for free testing and

treatment of patients with symptoms or who suffer from Monkeypox.

Talking to The Hitavada Director Epidemic Control Chhattisgarh Dr Subhash Mishra informed that the cases of Monkeypox are detected in around 12 countries across the world. No case of this deadly virus was detected in Chhattisgarh and across the country. However, necessary directives and alerts have been issued to all districts in the State.

Dr Mishra said that directives have been issued to strictly monitor people coming from foreign countries and other cities. The general public should be alert, report if any unusual symptoms like light to medium fever, normal symptoms of pox appears, and awareness is created on what to do later on.

The Monkeypox infection spreads from animals to human beings who become the major spreader among other humans. People who eat wild animal meat get infected from this deadly variant and others come in contact with this disease also get infected. Similarly, touching the skin of infected persons, droplet infections and ‘Fomites’ in which a person gets infected on coming in contact with the articles used by those already suffering from Monkeypox, Dr Mishra added. Instead of getting panicked, a patient should consult the doctor since Monkeypox is a variant of smallpox and its medicine is also helpful in curing this new variant.

Generally on detection of unsafe symptoms, the concerned person should be isolated, treated and tested.

And on being reported positive, the treatment for Monkeypox should be started immediately.

Dr Mishra informed that a person suffering from Monkeypox normally gets well in 7 to 21 days. Persons with co-morbidity are at high risk of getting infected from this virus, he stated.