DTMT Network

The Union Health Ministry released a detailed guideline for the management of Monkeypox infections on August 3, 2022.

In an official communiqué, the ministry said that the country needs to be prepared in view of the increasing reports of cases in non-endemic countries.  

According to the guidelines, the incubation period of monkeypox is usually from 6 to 13 days but can range from 5 to 21 days and the transmission starts from 1-2 days before the rash until all the scabs fall off or get gets subsided.

The guideline further noted that human-to-human transmission is known to occur primarily through large respiratory droplets generally requiring a prolonged close contact and can also be transmitted through direct contact with body fluids or lesion material, and indirect contact with lesion material, such as through contaminated clothing or linens of an infected person.

Outlining the management practices, the guideline noted that skin rashes should be cleaned with simple antiseptics and should be covered with light bandages if extensive lesions are present.

While for oral ulcers, gurgling with warm saline water, for genital ulcers it advised taking stiz bath, a shallow bath wherein the affected area is dipped in shallow tubs filled with water and salt or baking soda, the guidlines read.

As per the guidlines, to manage dehydration and nausea etc, te patients should be given  ORS along with giving adequate nutrition.