Monkeypox: Govt Issues Guidelines For Travellers; Check Details

New Delhi: A day after India’s first case of monkeypox was confirmed in Kerala, the Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare issued guidelines for international travellers to manage the viral disease.

A man from Kerala’s Kollam district, who returned from the UAE on July 12, tested positive for the virus. All his close contacts have been identified and are being monitored, Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan said.

The Central government has rushed a high-level multi-disciplinary team to collaborate with state Health authorities in instituting public health measures.

Following are salient points of the government advisory:

* All international passengers should avoid close contact with sick people, including those with skin lesions or genital lesions

* They should avoid contact with dead or live wild animals, such as small mammals including rodents (like rats and squirrels) and non-human primates (like monkeys and apes)

* Avoid eating or preparing meat from wild game (bushmeat)

* Avoid using products derived from wild animals from Africa, like creams, lotions and powders

* Avoid using contaminated materials used by sick people, like clothing, bedding or materials used in healthcare settings, as well as those items that came into contact with infected animals

* Consult nearest health facility in case anyone develops symptoms suggestive of monkeypox like fever and rash, especially if they were in an area where the disease has been reported or they came in contact with a person who might be infected with the virus