Maharashtra Breathes Sigh of Relief as All Monkeypox Contacts Test Negative

Strategic Insights -

A 48-year-old man, who was diagnosed with monkeypox (Mpox) on October 7, had developed symptoms while in Saudi Arabia on September 15. He was admitted to Shri Bhausaheb Hire Government Medical College in Dhule on October 3, and his blood samples were sent to the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune. The confirmation of Mpox infection led to an extensive contact-tracing and surveillance drive in Dhule, with his wife and son testing negative for the infection. The patient remains in isolation and will be discharged only after testing negative. Six co-passengers who had traveled with the patient from Saudi Arabia were also monitored and found to be stable and asymptomatic.

Key Takeaways:

  • The state's first confirmed monkeypox (Mpox) patient, a 48-year-old man, had traveled to Saudi Arabia, where he developed symptoms on September 15.
  • He was admitted to Shri Bhausaheb Hire Government Medical College in Dhule on October 3, and his blood samples were sent to the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune.
  • The patient's contact tracing resulted in his wife (37) and son (9) testing negative for Mpox.
  • Six co-passengers who had traveled with the patient from Saudi Arabia were monitored and found to be stable and asymptomatic.
  • The patient remains in isolation and will be discharged only after testing negative.
  • No local transmission of Mpox has been detected in the patient's locality.
  • Field surveillance and health surveys were conducted in the patient's locality, and containment measures were implemented by the Dhule Municipal Corporation.
  • The patient's samples were tested three times, with all results confirming Mpox infection.
  • The National Institute of Virology (NIV) examined the patient's samples on October 5, receiving the report on October 7, which confirmed Mpox infection.

Statistics:

  • 48: The age of the first confirmed monkeypox (Mpox) patient in Maharashtra.
  • 15: The date when the patient developed symptoms while in Saudi Arabia.
  • 3: The date when the patient was admitted to Shri Bhausaheb Hire Government Medical College in Dhule.
  • 10: The date when the patient's wife (37) and son (9) were found to be negative for Mpox.
  • 6: The number of co-passengers who were monitored and found to be stable and asymptomatic.
  • 3: The number of times the patient's samples were tested, with all results confirming Mpox infection.

Sources:

  • National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune.
  • Shri Bhausaheb Hire Government Medical College, Dhule.
  • HT Digital Content Services.
  • HT Pune.