No Need To Fear Over Spread Of Monkeypox, Says TN Health Minister Ma Subramanian

The monkeypox outbreak is currently reported in countries including the UK, the US and Canada. 

Hands of a patient with monkeypox (File photo)

Chennai: Tamil Nadu Health Minister Ma Subramanian requested the people of the state to remain without fear over the spread of monkeypox fever. He also said that the transmission rate of the fever is also low and the infection can be contained.

On Tuesday, Tamil Nadu Health Minister Ma Subramanian addressing reporters said, “Moneypox is spreading across the world. People are getting scared and it’s getting reflected on social media. However, there is no need for the people to fear since the transmission rate is controllable. The situation can also be contained.”

Earlier, Tamil Nadu Health Secretary J Radhakrishnan wrote to Greater Chennai Corporation Commissioner and all district collectors to take steps to curb the spread of monkeypox. The monkeypox outbreak is currently reported in countries including the UK, the US and Canada. 

In a statement on Monday, Radhakrishnan said, the people who report unexplained rashes and have a travel history to countries with confirmed or suspected monkey pox patients in the past 21 days should be placed under surveillance. 

The suspected patients should be kept in isolation in designated healthcare facilities until the infection is resolved and a fresh layer of skin has formed, he said. 

The patients should report to the district surveillance officer of the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme and the infection control practices should be followed. The Health Department will also send the samples including vesicles and blood to Pune's National Institute of Virology for monkeypox, said a report on The Indian Express.