Second case of Monkeypox detected in Kerala

The second case of Monkeypox has been reported in Kannur in Kerala raising the total tally in India to two. The patient is identified as male and is clinically stable at present. Apart from fever and skin rashes, no other symptoms have been reported so far. 

Following the confirmation, the Centre advised officials to strictly screen all international arrivals at ports and airports. Amid rising concern of an outbreak, the ministry of health & family welfare said that the Centre has reviewed health inspection procedure at the Points of Entry at international airports and ports.

“A 31-year-old patient who returned from Dubai on July 13, has been infected with the virus. The patient has a history of 7 days of fever and a previous history of rash which later on developed on his face and skin. Apart from these, there are no other symptoms, as of now. He was admitted a day before yesterday at the Pariyaram Medical College. We tested his sample and confirmed the case of monkeypox,” an official from Pariyaram Medical College, kannur told TDG. “The patient’s health condition is reported to be satisfactory,” said the official.

State health minister Veena George stated that all the people who have been in close contact with the patient are

under close observation. Kerala reported the first case of Monkeypox last week on Thursday in the Kollam district. The primary contacts of the patient were his parents, the taxi driver and 11 other passengers.

After the confirmation of the first case, the Union Health Ministry sent a high-level multidisciplinary team to help the state health authorities to establish public health measures. As per the officials, the team will collaborate closely with the state health departments, assess the current situation locally, and suggest any necessary public health interventions. Kerala has increased its vigilance and issued special alerts to the following five districts, Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, and Kottayam.

The Union Health Ministry released new guidelines on Friday for the management of the Monkey pox 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).

The official told the news agency ANI also said that no need to panic all fresh guidelines has been issued to all States and UTs.

“No need to panic as Centre has given fresh directions to all the states and Union Territories regarding Monkeypox. It spreads through close contact with lesions, body fluids, prolonged contact with Respiratory Droplets and contaminated materials such as bedding,” said official sources.

Speaking about the transmission of the virus, Dr Rajesh Kumar, Senior Consultant-Internal Medicine, Paras Hospital, Gurugram said, “Monkeypox is found in the countries of Africa. If humans come in close contact with the animals infected with the infection, the virus can spread to humans. The virus is also transmitted to humans by coming in contact with a dead animal infected.”