AIIMS Delhi issues SOPs to handle suspected Mpox cases after WHO alarm

WHO declared Mpox a public health emergency of international concern on August 14.

Even though India has not reported any Mpox cases as yet, the Delhi government on August 20 directed three of its hospitals, namely, LNJP, GTB and Baba Saheb Ambedkar, to set up isolation rooms for management of suspected and confirmed cases of Mpox.

Meanwhile, the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi, has also issued standard operating procedures (SOPs) to handle suspected patients amid international scare, The Economic Times reported. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared Mpox a public health emergency of international concern on August 14.

"Monkeypox is a viral zoonosis with symptoms similar to those seen in the past in smallpox patients, although clinically less severe. The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the Monkeypox outbreak as a public health emergency of international concern, thereby requiring heightened awareness, rapid identification, and stringent infection control measures to prevent further spread," AIIMS Delhi said in a statement.

Also read: SII starts developing Mpox vaccine after WHO issues global health alert: Report

Here are the SOPs AIIMS issued to handle suspected Mpox patients:

1. Screening: Symptomatic patients, especially those with history of contact to other Mpox patients, ought to be flagged for immediate assistance. Key symptoms include fever, headache, body ache, chills, exhaustion, swollen lymph nodes, and rashes.

3. Notifying IDSP: Officials of the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) ought to be informed of identified cases at the following phone number – 8745011784 and be apprised of the details of the patient/s including their contact details.

4. Sending patient to Safdarjung Hospital: Safdarjung Hospital will be managing and treating Mpox patients and as such, patients suspected of being infected with Mpox will have to be referred to the hospital for further evaluation and treatment.

5. Other protocols: Staff must use PPE kits while dealing with suspected patients

Ambulance designated to transfer patients to Safdarjung Hospital ought to be contacted at 8929683898.

All symptoms and other details of patients ought to be properly documented.