Vijayawada: 2YO tests negative for Monkeypox, say test results from NIV

Vijayawada: The 2-year-old girl with suspected monkeypox symptoms tested negative according to the confirmed reports from the National Institute of Virology in Pune. There was panic in Vijayawada on Sunday evening as a suspected monkeypox case was reported in the old Government General Hospital.

Commissioner of Medical, Health & Family Welfare J Nivas in an official statement said, "NIV, Pune has confirmed it is negative for monkeypox. The baby has got regular rashes.

There is no need to panic", said Mr. Nivas. The 2-year-old went on a trip to Dubai with the family and returned on July 11th. After she developed rashes, she was isolated in GGH, Vijayawada. Her family was also kept in home isolation for safety reasons.

With monkeypox case in Kerala, doctors are checking on suspected rash cases. The guidelines are to test suspected cases of rashes with fever.

What is Monkeypox?

Monkeypox belongs to the poxvirus family of viruses and was first identified in monkeys way back in 1958. It is a viral zoonotic disease occurring primarily in forested parts of central and west Africa. While it originates in wild animals, it later spread to people. Currently, it is spread across 19 countries and is said to be spreading fast across Europe and the US through international travel.

What are the symptoms?

Monkeypox has flu-like symptoms, including fever and headache. A few days after the fever, rashes spread in the body, especially on the palms and face. The incubation period for the disease ranges from 2-4 weeks. Transmission of monkeypox mainly happens by physical contact, touching or sharing clothes, bed or utensils used by the affected person.