News from KSHEMA | Monkey pox awareness - a panel discussion

The Department of General Medicine, KSHEMA, organized a Public Awareness Program, "MONKEY POX AWARENESS - A PANEL DISCUSSION" on 23rd July 2022 at Avishkar, ABSMIDS.

The monkeypox virus is a DNA virus close to the smallpox virus family. The virus replicates very slowly with fewer chances of antigenic shift. It spreads mainly through large droplets and by fomites and close contacts. It is a zoonotic disease with rodents being the possible reservoir. It can be diagnosed by samples from nasopharyngeal secretions, skin lesions and blood through PCR at the Pune Virology Lab. The antibody detected by ELISA is not specific to monkeypox.

Dr.Deepak Madi, Additional Professor, KMC, Mangalore discussed the clinical aspects and management. Monkeypox presents with fever and centrifugal vesicular rashes. The majority of patients also have lymphadenopathy at presentation. We should suspect monkeypox in a person with a history of travel to affected countries in the last 21 days with unexplained rash, fever, headache, swollen lymph nodes, body ache or weakness. Management in India is currently symptomatic though antivirals like Brincidofovir. Tecovirimat is used in other countries. A post-exposure vaccine may also be considered. Vaccination for smallpox which was practiced till 1980 may provide partial immunity.

Dr. Manjuanth Shenoy, Professor & Head, Dept. of Dermatology, YMC, Mangalore discussed the differential diagnosis of rashes and management of skin lesions. In monkeypox, the vesicular rashes will appear in a single crop with a larger size and may be confluent. It is associated with pain and itching and can lead to permanent scarring in the cornea. Many patients have associated lymphadenopathy. Genital involvement may be seen. Complications of the rashes may be secondary infections and patients will require antibiotics for the same.

Dr.Nithin Kumar, Associate Professor Dept. of Community Medicine, KMC, Mangalore discussed the epidemiological aspects. Currently in India, we are seeing an outbreak due to travel abroad. Strict surveillance measures at the point of entry from foreign countries with contact tracing and isolation of suspect and cases for 21days is currently practiced.

The panel also recommended the continuation of infection control measures practiced during Covid. This needs to be followed by both public and hospitals. Even though the mortality due to monkeypox is very low, it causes significant morbidity; hence, everyone should contribute to controlling the disease.

Dr. Vimal Kumar, Professor, Dept.of Microbiology; Dr. Nanjesh, Professor & HoD, Community Medicine; Dr. Tanmay Bhat, Professor, Dept.of Medicine handed over certificates of appreciation to resource persons. API DK officer bearers Dr. Shamaprakash K and Dr. Shuaib Ahmed were present. Dr. Sudhindra Rao M, Professor & Head, Dept. of Medicine welcomed the gathering. Dr. Rishikesh Chandran, PG student of Medicine presented a case report. Dr. Adithi K, Assoc. Professor, Dept. of Medicine, moderated the panel.

Dr. Vidya Pai, Professor of Microbiology from YMC discussed the virological aspects and mode of spread.

Dr.Girisha B.S., Professor & Head, Department of Dermatology, proposed the vote of thanks.