Ahmedabad Civil Hospital has prepared an isolation ward with eight beds specifically for patients with monkeypox infection. Although Gujarat has not yet recorded any case of monkeypox, the hospital believes that it is better to be equipped for the possibility. If necessary, the ward can hold up to eighteen beds.
The news comes as India recorded its fourth monkeypox case in Delhi yesterday. A 34-year-old man, with no recent history of international travel, was tested positive for the virus. Earlier three cases were reported in Kerala.
Hospital’s Superintendent Doctor Rakesh Joshi said, “Monkeypox cases have been reported in India and so it is important to be prepared for every situation. An isolation ward that has been set up is equipped with all required facilities. It currently has 8 beds, but it can be increased to 18 beds if required.”
Monkeypox has rarely been seen outside of Africa’s western and central regions. However, a few cases of the viral disease were identified two months back in the United Kingdom, Portugal, and Spain. This alarmed the scientists and spread panic throughout the world, which braced itself for another threat. This disease has become the next potential pandemic after Coronavirus.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has issued an alert for monkeypox and declared the virus as a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC).
