AP govt sets up 6-bed isolation ward at V’wada GGH

In response to the global rise in Mpox cases, the Andhra Pradesh state government has implemented proactive measures to enhance preparedness. The Department of Medical and Health, well ahead of any reported monkeypox cases in the country, has initiated a series of precautionary steps, including the establishment of isolation wards and heightened surveillance across key locations.
A milestone in these efforts is the creation of a dedicated six-bed Mpox isolation ward at the Government General Hospital (GGH) in Vijayawada. This facility, equipped with the necessary medical infrastructure, is set to become operational from August 2h (Tuesday), according to Dr Venkateswara Rao, the hospital’s Superintendent. Dr Rao also noted that the capacity could be expanded if required, based on directives from state health authorities. The isolation ward will be under constant monitoring by a team of specialists from General Medicine, Dermatology, and Pulmonology, ensuring round-the-clock care in the event of any reported cases.
Addressing recent rumours circulating on social media, Dr Rao categorically denied reports of any suspected Mpox cases at GGH Vijayawada, stating that no cases have been detected to date.
In a related development, the Visakhapatnam-based MedTech Zone has announced the launch of the ‘ErbaMDx MonkeyPox RT-PCR Kit’, a cutting-edge diagnostic tool developed in partnership with Transasia Diagnostics Private Limited.  
This kit, India’s first indigenously developed testing solution for Mpox, underscores the nation’s readiness to manage any potential outbreak of the virus.
At the national level, the Union Government has already issued guidelines for screening at international airports to prevent the entry of the virus into the country. If necessary, isolation arrangements will be extended to hospitals near these airports, ensuring a swift response to any emerging threat.
The situation remains particularly concerning in Africa, where the virus has the potential to spread across the continent and beyond. As of 2022, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has reported 99,176 Mpox cases and 208 deaths across 116 countries. In India, 30 cases have been detected since the 2022 declaration. Mpox, caused by the monkeypox virus, presents as a painful rash, swollen lymph nodes, and fever, and is transmitted through close contact with infected individuals or animals, including via skin lesions and direct skin-to-skin contact.