STOP MONKEYPOX
Even as no case of monkeypox, a disease akin to smallpox having fever, body ache and very distinct skin lesions as its symptoms, is yet to be reported in the country, the J&K Health department has sounded an alert about the seriousness of this ailment. The advisory has come after the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW) Gol has issued caution on the outbreak of this disease in Europe. Directorate of Health Service Jammu has issued an advisory addressed to all Chief Medical Officers (CMOs) of Jammu division to disseminate the advisory among all health care workers for their sensitization and further necessary action. This is a good step taken by the health department but the thing is that the disease is contagious and until people are entering the country from outside the chances of disease spread will remain rife. According to the advisory issued by the DHSK Jammu, there is a recent outbreak of Monkeypox cases in Europe as well as the United States and Australia. This is Zoonotic disease, first identified in monkeys but it is also spread by rodents. By now the health department has taken cue from the recent outbreak of COVID-19 that stopping such diseases are very important as they have the potential to wreak havoc in big and small cities besides rural areas as any lethargy in social distancing and in taking other precautions can be catastrophic. Reportedly, Monkeypox typically presents clinically with fever, rash and swollen lymph nodes and may lead to a range of medical complications and it is usually a self-limited disease with the symptoms lasting from 2 to 4 weeks and case fatality rate may vary from 1-10 percent. It is pertinent to mention that Monkey Pox can be transmitted from animal to humans as well as human to human. The virus enters the body through broken skin (even if not visible), respiratory tract, or the mucous membranes (eyes, nose, or mouth). Till date the cases of Monkeypox have been reported from the U.K, U.S.A, Europe, Australia and Canada with no deaths. Although it is not reported in India, chances of this disease occurring in India cannot be ruled out. Taking precautions as and when suggested by the concerned agencies can play a vital role in stopping this from entering the country.