Mpox: Health dept enhances surveillance

Kozhikode: The health authorities have stepped up efforts to put in place enhanced surveillance after the first case of Clade 1b strain of Mpox in the country was reported from Malappuram. The patient who has tested positive is under treatment at Manjeri Govt Medical College Hospital.
State govt is likely to revise the guidelines for surveillance, contact tracing, prevention and management of Mpox in the wake of the emergence of the new strain.
Health minister Veena George had said in Malappuram last week that the medical board will examine if any additional measures have to be included in the current protocol.
A meeting of dermatologists was held in Malappuram to discuss disease reporting and management. Also, govt and private hospitals have been asked to be on alert and report if people with suspected symptoms seek treatment.
District health authorities said that the results of the samples of the 38-year-old Mpox positive patient is expected on Wednesday. If he tests negative, then he will be tested again after four days.