THIRUVANANATHAPURAM: Kerala Health Minister Veena George on Tuesday informed that the state has 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 Veena George.
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. Those in close contact with him have been put under surveillance, the minister added.
According to World Health Organisation (WHO), monkeypox is a viral zoonotic infection caused by the monkeypox virus. It spreads mostly from human contact. A multidisciplinary central team of officials has been already deployed by the Union Health Ministry.
The Union Health Ministry on Friday released new guidelines for the management of the monkeypox disease. The ministry listed out points for the general masses to avoid the contradiction of the disease which included avoiding contact with dead or wild animals (rodents, monkeys). (ANI)