Treading cautiously as cases of monkeypox rise gradually in the country, the Union Health Ministry on Wednesday released a list of Dos and Don'ts to avoid contracting the disease which also urged people not to stigmatise virus-infected as well as suspected patients.
“Do not believe any rumour or misinformation," the guidelines said, underlining that anyone can catch the virus if they have had prolonged or repeated contact with an infected individual. So far, nine cases have been reported in the country— four from Delhi and five from Kerala. One person of African origin has succumbed to the infection.
Among the Dos, the Ministry advised isolating the infected person from others so that the disease does not spread.
The 'Guidelines on Management of Monkeypox Disease' issued by the Centre stated that any person of any age having a history of travel to affected countries within the last 21 days presenting with an unexplained acute rash and symptoms like swollen lymph nodes, fever, headaches, body aches and profound weakness is to be considered a 'suspected case'.
The Ministry has also set up a task force on monkeypox to closely monitor the emerging situation in the country and decide on response initiatives to tackle the disease.
