Kerala: 38-yr-old man becomes 1st confirmed case of Mpox, 2nd in country

Malappuram: A 38-year-old male resident of Othai near Edvanna who had returned from Dubai in United Arab Emirates (UAE) and has been undergoing treatment at Manjeri Medical College Hospital since September 16 with suspected symptoms of monkeypox (Mpox), tested positive for the disease, becoming the first case in the state, confirmed Kerala Health Minister Veena George.

This is the second case of Mpox in India, after a 26-year-old youth from Haryana, who has been undergoing medical treatment at LNJP hospital in New Delhi since September 12.

Minister George said the government has set up isolation wards in select District hospital, Medical college hospitals and taluk hospitals for the treatment of suspected Mpox patients and appointed nodal officers to monitor the situation in all the 14 districts of the state from Wednesday as part of precautionary measures and cautious approach towards Mpox to avoid further spread of virus.

She has urged those returning to Kerala from abroad with symptoms of Mpox to contact the hospital immediately to avoid any spread of virus in the State.

The 38-year-old man arrived at Edavanna last week and sought consultation with the local dermatologist for rashes, like chicken pox, on his hands. He also had a mild fever on September 16.

The doctors at Manjeri Medical College Hospital suspected it to be the case of infectious disease from his case study and symptoms and sent the fluid samples to Kozhikode Medical College Hospital lab for testing.

The lab report confirmed the Mpox on Wednesday, however, the health condition of the patient was stable, sources said.

Following this, his close relatives and friends were quarantined in isolation rooms and the district and Health authorities have started preparing the contact list and route map.

Mpox virus can be spread through close contact with the patient, and it can also be spread through contaminated surfaces and infected animals too, Health sources added.