The West Bengal state health department has increased its readiness for monitoring and medical care facilities to isolate and treat the suspected or confirmed cases, as the number of confirmed monkeypox is gradually rising in the country.  

While the ICMR-NICED is prepared to analyze samples from suspected patients, the Infectious Diseases and Beliaghata General (ID&BG) Hospital in Kolkata has kept its facilities and staff ready to isolate and treat instances of monkeypox. Bengal, however, has not yet had an example of any confirmed viral infection. Additionally, the hospital has asked the health department to instruct and guide its staff on how to gather and handle samples taken from potential patients. The technicians are now undergoing training.

Besides ID&BG Hospital, the School of Tropical Medicine has also been asked to provide isolation beds. All medical colleges in the districts have requested the same, and they have been instructed to keep their microbiology departments prepared to gather samples from suspicious patients.

Monkeypox symptoms include fever and lesions that typically show up one or two days after the fever starts. An incubation period of six to fifteen days is possible. According to health professionals, mortality rates for children may be higher. The health department has also provided instructions for health units on how to record suspected or confirmed cases and notify the relevant health officials as soon as possible. (Times of India, Aug 5, 2022)

West Bengal: Swasthya Bhavan keeps medical facilities ready for monkeypox cases | Kolkata News - Times of India (indiatimes.com)