Second Case Of Mpox Confirmed In Kerala (image-twitter/f_philippot)

Kerala has reported second Mpox case after a man who returned from UAE tested positive for the infectious disease caused by the monkeypox virus. The Health department officials on Monday has assured that the present health condition of the infected person is stable and has been hospitalised in Ernakulam.

The samples have been sent for genomic sequencing at the National Institute of Virology in Pune.

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Earlier, a 38-year-old man from Malappuram had tested positive for Mpox after seeking treatment for a high fever at Manjeri Medical College Hospital. After noticing the bumps on the body, the sent the samples for test, which confirmed the infection.

Educational Minister Veena George had requested the ones returning to Kerala with Mpox symptoms to alert healthcare professionals. The government has also set up isolation rooms for patients at districts and general hospitals in all 14 districts.

Mpox, also known as Monkey pox is a viral illness caused by the monkeypox virus, a species of the genus Orthopoxvirus.

The centre has asked all the states to identify facilities and trained human resources for taking care of both suspected and confirmed mpox cases after India reported its first case.

Samples which tests positive will be sent to the Indian council of Medical Research National Institute of Virology for genome sequencing to determine the clad. Last month, the World Health Organization (WHO) had declared it as a public health emergency.

What Are The Symptoms?

Symptoms of mpox include fever, headache, muscle aches, and a characteristic rash that develops into blisters. The rash typically appears a few days after the initial symptoms, starting on the face before spreading to other parts of the body. Swollen lymph nodes, joint pain, and exhaustion are also common. In more severe cases, the infection can cause significant health complications.

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The UK Health Security Agency has noted that clade I infections have the potential to spread beyond Africa, as seen with the current case in India. It has urged healthcare systems worldwide to remain vigilant. The WHO continues to assess the global risk, working with international partners to ensure countries are prepared to respond to possible outbreaks.