Editorial. . . . . . . .

Early in May of this year, reports of an illness similar to smallpox spread from Africa to Europe, the United States, Israel, Australia, and other places. The World Health Organization (WHO) recorded nearly 200 instances of monkeypox in 20 countries by the end of May, although the epidemic was said to be manageable. Primate and wild rodent infections have primarily affected people in central and western Africa. A rash or lesions that resemble pimples or blisters are the most typical symptoms. These may be present over the entire body or only in certain areas, such as the genitals, anus, face, arms, hands, legs, feet, chest, or back. It may be challenging to use the restroom if you have sores in your urethra or anus. Flu symptoms like fever, headaches, muscle aches, tiredness, and swollen lymph nodes are also experienced by some persons.

Countries like the UK, Germany, Canada, and the US are looking into ways to stop the outbreak and evaluating whether smallpox vaccines would be effective before providing advice soon. The bulk of infections in wealthy nations so far have only affected gay and bisexual males or men who have sex with men. Scientists have warned that since all the information is not yet available, it is possible that things could get worse if the proper safeguards are not followed. Even provided numbers could be inaccurate and greater than stated. WHO also stated that regardless of one’s sexual behaviour, anybody is at risk of contracting the illness. People cannot afford to be complacent since airborne diseases can spread quickly, even though the threat to the general population is currently minimal. The prospect of people returning home from overseas carrying a viral disease should be taken seriously by the state as well as UT governments, who should exercise caution. To give one example, the Tamil Nadu government has issued strict warnings to anyone who has traveled abroad in early May to a country where there are suspected cases of monkeypox. They should be quarantined at medical facilities for supervision and appropriate treatment for two to four weeks until everything returns to normal. All preventative measures must be properly adhered to, and regular surveillance is required, according to the National Center for Disease Control (NCDC), Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, because the regions of Central and West Africa are comparable to several locations in Southern India. Laboratory samples of fluid from cars, blood, and sputum should be sent to the National Institute of Virus (NIV), Pune, Maharashtra, for testing if any suspicion is noted. As with the Covid-19 pandemic, if the test is positive, any contacts who had the illness during the previous 21 days should be tracked down and treated as needed as symptoms typically last between two and four weeks. More than 700 people have been infected globally, according to the most recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Nations have been warned not to take monkeypox disease lightly since it could spread quickly due to the virus’s airborne and contagious nature. Patients should contact doctors right away if they develop any uncommon rashes. There have been no recorded instances of monkeypox in any part of UT of Jammu and Kashmir yet, but there is every need to be careful and take necessary precautionary measures as Tamil Naidu state has taken. Guidelines for the management of monkeypox (on disease transmission, surveillance and case definitions; diagnosis and case management; infection prevention and control; and personal protective equipment) should be shared with all Govt. / Pvt Hospitals. District Surveillance Units (DSUs) in J&K should be placed in active mode including contact tracing and follow-up and sensitized as per the Govt. of India guidelines besides circulation of Health advisory for the awareness of the general public.