BENGALURU, 22 AUG

After World Health Organization (WHO) declared Mpox (Monkeypox) as global health emergency, Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao has instructed health officials to dedicate two isolation beds each at all government-run hospitals and healthcare centres if State reports an Mpox case.

“Even if there are no cases reported in India, we have made basic preparations,” the minister told Salar News.

The isolation beds will be set up at district and taluk hospitals, primary healthcare centres (including 141 in Bengaluru) and community healthcare centres in the State. “The isolation beds currently dedicated for dengue and other communicable diseases will be used for Mpox cases if needed,” Rao told Salar News.

In Bengaluru, Epidemic Diseases Hospital in Indiranagar will be a key facility for isolating patients and Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike has equipped the hospital with 10 isolation beds.

The State has only one testing centre for Mpox cases: Virus Research and Diagnostic Laboratory (VRDL) in Victoria Hospital, Bengaluru. Clinical samples from suspected cases will be forwarded to VRDL for testing which usually takes three to four days. Specialised teams consisting of dermatologists, physicians and other medical experts will be tasked to bring samples from across Karnataka to VRDL for testing. “We will start more testing centres across the State depending on the seriousness of the disease,” the minister said.

A senior BBMP health official, who didn’t wish to be named, told Salar News, “We are constantly in communication with airports, seaports and grassroot-level officials to monitor people coming from Mpox-affected countries. We have provided district administrations with a list of countries where the infection has been reported and instructed them to closely monitor travellers from these regions," the commissioner said. –Salar News

When should you get tested for Mpox

• Rashes on mouth, hands, feet, perianal area or genitals

• Swollen lymph nodes

• Headache, muscle ache, backache, fever and fatigue

• Swelling inside rectum

• Pain or difficulty while urinating

Source of infection

• Coming in close contact with someone who has Mpox through, touching, talking, breathing, kissing and sex

• From contaminated bedding, towels, clothing, surfaces and other objects

Taking Care

• People with Mpox should follow the advice of their healthcare providers. Symptoms typically last 2–4 weeks and usually go away on their own or with supportive care, such as medication for pain or fever (such as analgesics and antipyretics)

• Those recovering at home have to stay hydrated, eat well and get enough sleep

• They should avoid scratching their skin and take care of their rashes by cleaning their hands before and after touching lesions. They should keep skin dry and uncovered (unless they are unavoidably in a room with someone else, in which case they should cover it with clothing or a bandage until they are able to isolate again)