Maha: PMC to establish 100-bedded monkeypox isolation ward at Naidu hospital

Pune: In a recent outbreak of viral disease after the COVID-19 pandemic which has been spreading all around the world, the cases of monkeypox are rising each day with over 100 cases reported in at least 20 countries.

In response to the rising cases, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has decided to establish a 100-bedded ward at Naidu infection control hospital. The purpose of the ward is to isolate the infected patients if any are reported in India in the future. 

Monkeypox is a viral zoonosis (a virus transmitted to humans from animals) with symptoms similar to those seen in the past in smallpox patients, although it is clinically less severe. The symptoms of monkeypox are similar to but milder than the symptoms of smallpox. Monkeypox begins with fever, headache, muscle aches, and exhaustion. The transmission from Human-to-human can result from close contact with respiratory secretions, skin lesions of an infected person or recently contaminated objects.

Also read- Challenges in understanding and treating the rare monkey pox disease

The civic body will also isolate any patients suffering from fever, rashes and swollen lymph nodes as a safety precaution. As of yet, no cases have been reported in India, but the PMC urged hospitals, state health departments, and local district health offices to remain vigilant.

Countries including UAE, Denmark, Canada, England, Australia, France, Germany, USA, Portugal, Sweden, Spain, Italy, and Israel have recently reported the monkeypox disease.

Also read- WHO Issues Warning On Monkeypox As More Cases Get Reported From UK, Portugal, Spain,US

Dr Ashish Bharti, Chief of PMC health department told HT "We have over 100 beds for isolation at Naidu infection control hospital which previously proved to be very helpful during Covid-19. In addition to this, we also have two isolation centres at Baner which are ready with manpower. In the case of monkeypox, we do not need any oxygen supply, but primarily only isolation is essential to stop the spread. As of now, we do not have any treatment protocol but we have the necessary staff available like doctors, nurses and medical officers ready to work if required."

"We will soon issue a letter to the private hospitals as well to keep a watch for similar symptoms and send any suspected case to Naidu hospital for isolation. As of now, there have been no suspected cases. We will follow the advisory for detection and isolation. The current facilities should be enough and we are prepared," he added.

Health Minister Rajesh Tope said, "We need to be careful as infections spread quite fast across the world. The initial information about monkeypox shows that it won't create serious complications."

Also read- Govt puts airports on alert over rising monkeypox cases