Monkey Pox enters India, First infected case from Kerala

India reported it’s first Monkey Pox case in Kerala. A 35-year old man from Kollam, who  returned from UAE on July 12, was found to be infected with the disease. His condition is stable and his primary contacts, including parents and cab driver have been isolated, according to Veena George, Health Minister, Kerala.

The minister said that the man was admitted to a hospital after he showed suspected symptoms. His samples were collected and sent to the National Institute of Virology, Pune where it was diagnosed as Monkey Pox.

The patient was in close contact with a person diagnosed with the disease abroad and that’s how got infected. Eleven of his fellow passengers from adjacent seats in the flight are kept in observation. Veena George told media that there is nothing to worry as the person is stable and state authorities and health department are geared to face the situation.

Meanwhile, the Union Health Ministry rushed a multi-disciplinary central team, comprising experts drawn from the National Center for Disease Control (NCDC) and Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, New Delhi, to assist the Kerala government in probing the outbreak and taking up the required health measures.

WHO says Monkey Pox is a viral zoonosis (a virus transmitted to humans from animals) with symptoms similar to those seen in the past in smallpox patients, although it is clinically less severe.

From January 1 to June 22, a total of 3,413 Monkey Pox cases and one death have been reported from 50 countries worldwide.