Monkeypox Symptoms, and Isolation Guidelines in Dubai

The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) has issued its guidelines for confirmed cases of Monkeypox and their close contacts.

Monkeypox can be detected through a PCR (throat swab or lesion specimen where the skin is scraped for vesicle fluid using a dry swab).

Confirmed case:

Must isolate in a separate room until he or she is informed of the result of the positive PCR test.

The DHA will contact the patient to complete the isolation procedures.

If the symptoms worsen, the patient must go to the nearest medical centre or hospital.

The patient must remain in isolation either at home or in the institutional isolation facility for a period of 21 days.

Requirements and conditions of home isolation:

The individual should be in a stable health condition.

Presence of a separate well-ventilated room and washroom.

Access to a first-aid kit and body thermometer.

Have knowledge on how to properly treat contaminated equipment and waste.

Follow hand washing and hygiene protocols to avoid transmission of the virus.

Institutional isolation or isolation in hospital:

Close contact :

Dubai Health Authority will communicate and inform the close contacts.

Stay in quarantine for 21 days and there is no need for a PCR laboratory test if no symptoms of the disease appear.

If symptoms are there during quarantine, go to the nearest health centre or hospital.

If the test result is positive, contacts will be informed about completing the isolation procedures.

If the result of the test is negative, they must continue the quarantine for a period of 21 days.

Signs and symptoms:

Swelling of lymph nodes

Severe headache

Fever

Skin rash which usually begins within 1-3 days of fever

Exhaustion

Back and muscle aches

Is there any medication I can take to protect myself from getting infected?

This article was previously published on UAE Moments.To see the original article, click here