NEW DELHI: In light of the growing number of monkeypox cases in the country, the Centre holds a meeting of senior medical professionals to discuss the need to review current recommendations for managing the disease. Nine cases of monkeypox, including one death, have been reported from India thus far. 

An official stated, "This is a technical meeting to review the current guidelines." 

Dr. L. Swasticharan, director of Emergency Medical Relief, is presiding over the meet, which is also attended by members from the National Center for Disease Control, the National Center for Aids Control, and the World Health Organization (WHO). 

As per the existing 'Guidelines on Management of MonkeypoxDisease' issued by the Central government, any person having a travel history to affected countries within the last three weeks presenting with an unexplained acute rash and symptoms such as swollen lymph nodes, fever, headaches, body aches and profound weakness is to be treated to be a 'suspected case'.

A "probable case" is defined as a person who meets the criteria for a suspected case, has a clinically compatible illness, and has an epidemiological link such as face-to-face exposure, including medical personnel who are not wearing the proper PPE, direct physical contact with skin or skin lesions, including sexual contact, or contact with contaminated objects like clothing, bedding, or utensils.

Cases may be asked about contacts in the following contexts: the home, the job, the school or nursery, sexual connections, healthcare, places of worship, transportation, sports, social events, and any other recalled interactions.
 For a period of 21 days following the final contact with a patient or their contaminated material during the infection phase, contacts should be checked at least daily for the appearance of signs or symptoms. Fever should always be evaluated clinically and in the lab.

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