Guntur: An 8-year-old boy in Guntur reported monkeypox symptoms, said officials on Saturday. The boy was admitted at the Government General Hospital, Guntur.
District Medical and Health Officer, Guntur Dr Sumaiya Khan said, “It is a suspected case of monkeypox. For confirmation. We have taken samples which are being sent to the National Institute of Virology, Pune and Gandhi Hospital in Secunderabad for confirmation.”
GGH officials said that further action will be taken following the report.
Currently, the boy is isolated and being treated in a special ward.
India has only four confirmed cases of the disease till date, with three coming from Kerala and one from Delhi.
Following this, the central government is on an alert even as the count of infections in some other countries has risen.
NITI Aayog’s member (Health) Dr V K Paul said that there is absolutely no need for any panic as the government has taken significant measures to keep the disease in check.
In an Interview with ANI, Dr Paul sought to assert that there was no need for any undue panic but added that it was still important that the country and the society stay vigilant.
“There is no need to panic, as of now, but one must report in time if they spot any symptoms, he said.
According to World Health Organization (WHO), more than 18,000 cases have been reported from 78 countries.
(With Agency Inputs)