Srinagar: The Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) has sought a dedicated monkeypox testing facility at Government Medical College (GMC) Srinagar in Kashmir valley stating that the region is the most favourite tourist destination and vulnerable to infections so the management needs to be vigilant and prepared.
Dr Hassan said we have the recommended biosafety level 3 lab at GMC Srinagar and machine to do the tests also the laboratory expertise in molecular detection of the virus so we just need diagnostic testing kits and we will be doing the tests.
“It is imperative to enhance laboratory preparedness which is crucial to tackle the looming public health threat posed by monkeypox,” he added.
The DAK President said according to the guideline of the Union Health Ministry only “suspected cases” and contacts that are symptomatic are to be tested for monkeypox.
A suspected case is a person with unexplained acute skin rash and one or more of the symptoms – swollen lymph nodes, fever, headache, body aches, and profound weakness.
The guideline also states that the person must have a history of international travel in the last 21 days.
“However, in the current outbreak there are cases who have no history of travel which gives us to understand that the guidelines need to be revisited,” he said.
“The recommended specimen type for diagnostic confirmation of monkeypox in suspected cases is skin lesion material, including swabs of lesion exudate, roofs from more than one lesion, or lesion crusts,” said Dr Nisar.
“Worldwide, more than 26,000 cases have been recorded with India reporting 9 cases of monkeypox so far.”
In July this year, the World Heath Organsation declared Money Pox as a global health emergency despite the covid-19 pandemic still looming large globally.
(GNS)
