Blitz Bureau
BENGALURU: Karnataka Medical Education Minister Sharan Prakash Patil on August 23 asked people not to worry about the mpox outbreak reported in some African countries as no infection has been detected in India till now.
The minister said the state Government has made all preparations to deal with the mpox infection and added that free testing facilities have been arranged at the Victoria Hospital.
The central Government has also set up screening at international airports, Patil added. Mpox infections are generally selflimiting, lasting between two and four weeks, and its patients usually recover with supportive medical care and management. It is transmitted through prolonged and close contact with an infected patient.
Fifty beds and five ICU beds will be set aside at Victoria Hospital in Bengaluru for isolating any suspected or confirmed cases of mpox, Patil told mediaperson at the Vikasa Soudha on August 23 after a meeting with officials from the state medical education department to review preparedness measures for mpox (monkeypox) in the state.
“There is no need to panic about this now as not a single case has been reported now, in either the state or the whole country. The Centre has already issued an advisory to keep doctors informed about monkeypox, which is called the guidelines for the management of monkeypox,” Dr Patil said. The minister has directed Victoria Hospital to set aside 50 beds for isolation in its H block.
The hospital already has RT-PCR testing kits and other tests for monkeypox and testing will be free of cost there if cases are suspected.
While the Centre has not issued any guidelines to start screening or testing of people, at airports or otherwise, the department is keeping facilities ready.
“Since Bengaluru has an international airport, we are being vigilant if any case is reported suddenly. We have the provision for testing and isolation in such as case at Victoria Hospital,” he said, adding that if cases rise, such facilities will be set up in other parts of the state.
