Ahmedabad: Amid growing number of monkeypox cases globally, the Ahmedabad Civil Hospital has begun strengthening its preparedness to deal with a possible outbreak of the virus.
It has readied a 10-bed isolation ward for the same. The hospital authorities said that there was no recorded case of the virus in the state so far and that the infectious diseases specialists and general physicians are trained in the treatment protocol.
Dr Kalpesh Shah, dean of BJ Medical College, said that the microbiology department in the college has been provided 40 kits by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) to test samples for monkeypox.
“The kits are successfully calibrated and tested. The staff is also trained in the same,” said Dr Shah.
India has so far recorded three cases of monkeypox. The virus is characterized by swollen lymph nodes, fever, headache, muscle pain, rash/ pimples on face and other parts of the body among others. The virus is transmitted by close physical contact with the infected individual.