MANJERI (Kerala): India on Friday reported its third case of monkeypox in Kerala’s Malappuram district, officials said.
A 35-year-old man contracted the infection and is currently undergoing treatment at a hospital where he was admitted for fever after returning from the UAE on July 6, Kerala health minister Veena George said today.
“The country’s third monkeypox confirmed in a 35-year-old man who returned to Mallapuram from the UAE on July 6. He was admitted with fever at Manjerry Medical College Hospital on 13th (July) and from 15th he began showing symptoms. His family and close contacts under observation,” George said.
The southern state on July 19 started Monkeypox testing at NIV Alapuzha. “Testing has started at NIV Alapuzha. Kits have been brought to NIV Alapuzha from Pune. Samples from districts are now being sent to Alapuzha for testing. A new disease has been reported in the state. Following that, testing is being conducted by taking all precautions. Testing samples in Kerala will reduce the time duration to get the result,” said the Kerala health minister.
India reported its second case of monkeypox in Kerala’s Kannur district on July 18. A 31-year-old man has contracted the infection and is currently undergoing treatment at a hospital. The first case of the monkeypox virus also originated in India on July 14 after a UAE traveller returned to Kerala. He has been admitted to Thiruvananthapuram medical college.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), monkeypox is a viral zoonotic infection caused by the monkeypox virus. It spreads mostly from human contact. (ANI)