Indigenous test kit for monkeypox launched in India | Fusion - WeRIndia

India unveiled the first indigenously-developed RT-PCR kit for monkeypox. Transasia Bio-Medicals developed the test kit. Principal Scientific Adviser to the Centre Ajay Kumar Sood launched the test kit at the Andhra Pradesh Medtech Zone.

The RT-PCR kit developed by Transasia Bio-Medicals will help in the early detection of the disease. The company says that the test kit is easy to use. The early detection will help in better management of the condition. Also, it can control the transmission of disease.

The number of monkeypox cases reported in the country is very few. So far, ten cases have been reported. But, the viral transmission’s symptoms are similar to smallpox.

Hence, the central government issued guidelines to states and union territories to deal with affected patients and their close contacts. The Centre also directed them to keep ready to manage the situation. Various state governments arranged for tests and screening at international airports.

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) also said that it would conduct a serosurvey to identify the infected people and the level of antibodies among the close contacts of monkeypox patients. It also wanted to identify the asymptotic people who have contracted the disease.

As per the guidelines issued by the Centre, human-to-human transmission of the disease occurs through large respiratory droplets and from prolonged close contact with monkeypox patients.

Besides, the disease can also be transmitted through direct contact with body fluids or lesions. In addition to that, chances are there to get a disease through contaminated clothing used by an affected person.

The incubation period is six to 13 days. Children have a higher risk of being infected with the disease. The fatality rate is also more among them. The fatality rate of monkeypox is nearly three to six per cent.

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Image Reference: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Monkeypox_cases.png