Delhi's suspected Monkeypox patient tests negative

New Delhi: A suspected monkeypox patient has been admitted to the LNJP Hospital, and was discharged after testing negative on Thursday, a senior doctor said.

The Ghaziabad man, in his 30s, has been diagnosed with chickenpox, he said.

Also Read:High alert: Delhi reports first Monkeypox case

The man was admitted to the Delhi government-run hospital, which is the designated centre for monkeypox, on Tuesday, and had fever and skin lesions.

"The suspected case of monkeypox was brought to LNJP Hospital two days ago. He was discharged today after his reports came back negative," LNJP Medical Director Suresh Kumar told PTI.

Meanwhile, Kumar said the samples from the first reported case of monkeypox, who is currently in hospital, have been taken and sent to the National Institute of Virology, Pune.

"His vital parameters are normal and lesion condition is improving," he added.

Four monkeypox cases have been reported so far in the country, including three from Kerala.

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.

Monkeypox is usually a self-limited disease with symptoms lasting two to four weeks. It typically presents itself with fever, headache, rashes, sore throat, cough and swollen lymph nodes.

Medical Dialogues team had earlier reported that a 34-year-old man from the national capital with no history of foreign travel had tested positive for the monkeypox virus, becoming the fourth case of the disease reported in India.

WHO has declared Monkeypox a 'public health emergency of international concern' (PHEIC) due to the increase in the number of cases worldwide.

Three cases of monkeypox had earlier been reported from Kerala. Airport and Port Health Officers and regional directors from regional offices of health and family welfare were advised to ensure strict health screening of all arriving international travellers to minimise the risk of importation of monkeypox cases into the country.

Also Read:Monkeypox in India: Second case detected in Kerala