In view of the increasing Monkey Pox cases in the country, the Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) has assigned King George’s Medical College (KGMU), in Lucknow as the nodal centre for treatment of Monkey Pox.

The samples of suspected cases will be tested and patients confirmed with the disease will be treated at KGMU. Besides this, the university will also train doctors from other institutions in handling Monkey Pox patients.

The Vice Chancellor of KGMU, Prof. Bipin Puri, further informed that a team from National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) is scheduled to visit the university next month.

What is Monkeypox?

Monkeypox is a viral zoonotic disease with symptoms similar to smallpox, although with less clinical severity. It was first discovered in 1958 in colonies of monkeys kept for research, hence the name 'Monkeypox'.

Modes of Transmission

1. Human-to-human transmission

2. Animal-to-human transmission

Suspected cases

A person of any age, having a history of travel to affected countries, within the last 21 days presenting unexplained acute rashes and one or more of the following signs could be a Monkeypox victim. The signs seem something like this.

• Swollen lymph nodes

• Fever

• Headache

• Body aches

• Profound weakness