Trending:

Monkeypox reaches India? Youth with suspected symptoms admitted to hospital in Kolkata; Watch out for these symptoms

A young man, who recently returned from Europe, has been admitted to a hospital in Kolkata with rashes and symptoms similar to the viral disease. It may be the first case of monkeypox in India. Watch out for the symptoms.

Ashima Sharda Mahindra

Updated Jul 9, 2022, 08:09 IST

Youth with suspected monkeypox symptoms admitted to hospital in Kolkata

New Delhi: A student from Kolkata has been isolated and admitted to a hospital with symptoms similar to monkeypox. The young man from West Midnapore is said to have recently returned from Europe.

The authorities have sent his samples to the National Institute of Virology in Pune for testing after he developed 'rashes’ all over the body along with other symptoms of the viral disease. The doctors said the man was kept in isolation and authorities were alerted of his contact with other people as well.

The doctors have, however, said there is no reason to panic since they are still waiting for confirmation on whether he has monkeypox or not.

The World Health Organisation has confirmed that there is a more than 75 per cent weekly increase in the number of monkeypox cases around the world, with the present number at 6,000. Originated in the areas of South Africa, monkeypox has now become a global health scare with infections reported from various parts of the world.

Most monkeypox cases have been reported from Europe and Africa.

WHO has expressed widespread concern "by the scale and spread of the virus", Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General said, while adding that more than 80 per cent of cases are from Europe alone.

What is monkeypox?

Monkeypox is a serious viral illness that involves all the flu-like symptoms along with rashes all over the body filled with fluid and scabbing. It lasts for two to four weeks.

How does monkeypox spread?

There are different ways in which this viral infection can spread, with the most common being in direct contact with an infected person. It also can be transmitted through clothes, bedding, respiratory droplets, and body contact including kissing and sex.

What are the symptoms?

Let’s see what are the signs and symptoms of the monkeypox virus, which is a member of the orthopoxvirus genus in the family poxvirdae, needed to be taken very seriously.