On Wednesday, the state government of Kerala issued a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for isolation, sample collection, and treatment methodology for those infected or showing signs of monkeypox. The SOP was issued in the wake of two confirmed cases reported from the Kollam and Kannur districts. 

Kerala Health Minister, Dr. Veena George, gave the details of the SOP to be followed by all private and government hospitals in a press release. She added that any person who has traveled in the last 21 days to a country where monkeypox has been reported and developed symptoms, such as red spots on the body along with one or more of the other symptoms, like fever, headache, body ache or fever, should suspect infection by the virus. The SOP said that in case the primary contact person also develops a fever, they should be immediately isolated and if red spots appear, their samples should be sent for monkeypox testing.

According to the Health department′s SOP, suspected and probable cases of monkeypox are to be treated separately and in isolation. The District Surveillance Officer (DSO) should also be informed. While transporting infected persons to a hospital or from one medical institution to another, a PPE kit, N95 masks, gloves, and goggles should be worn by the healthcare workers. Dr. George added that patients should also wear an N95 or triple-layered mask and cover any wounds on their bodies.

(Source: https://www.outlookindia.com/national/kerala-issues-sop-for-treatment-isolation-of-monkeypox-cases-news-210554 )