AIIMS Delhi's New SOPs for Handling Monkeypox Cases

AIIMS Delhi has issued guidelines and allocated beds for Monkeypox patients. The SOP mandates immediate isolation of suspected cases to minimize contact. The WHO declared the outbreak a public health emergency, calling for rapid identification and infection control. Designated hospitals will manage and treat the patients.

AIIMS Delhi on Tuesday issued new guidelines for handling suspected Monkeypox patients, including the allocation of five isolation beds.

The standard operating procedures (SOP) highlight that suspected patients should immediately be placed in a designated isolation area to avoid contact with other patients and staff.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the Monkeypox outbreak a public health emergency of international concern, thereby raising the necessity for increased awareness, rapid identification, and stringent infection control measures, as stated by the Centre-run institute.

The AIIMS SOP document describes Monkeypox as a viral zoonosis with symptoms akin to those seen in previous smallpox cases, though clinically less severe.

The protocol outlines the steps needed to manage such cases in the AIIMS emergency department. Patients presenting with fever, rash, or a history of contact with confirmed Monkeypox cases should receive immediate assessment.

Key symptoms include fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, swollen lymph nodes, chills, exhaustion, and a characteristic skin rash that may progress to vesicles and pustules.

The AB-7 ward has been dedicated to isolating Monkeypox cases and patients will be admitted on the recommendation of the chief medical officer, then treated by the medicine department.

AB-7 will serve as a temporary holding area until patients are transferred to Safdarjung Hospital for definitive care.

The SOPs also mandate informing the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) about any identified cases, providing patient details, clinical findings, and contact information.

Suspected patients should be referred to Safdarjung Hospital for further evaluation and treatment, with a dedicated ambulance available for transportation.

All Monkeypox cases must be managed with strict infection control, and staff should use personal protective equipment (PPE). Proper documentation of patient details, symptoms, and referrals is essential.

The Union Health Ministry has advised all airports and border authorities to remain vigilant about incoming international passengers displaying Monkeypox symptoms. Three Centre-run hospitals in Delhi have been identified as nodal centers for managing and treating Monkeypox patients.

(With inputs from agencies.)