First mpox case confirmed in Kerala — man who landed from UAE last week

Health Minister Veena George urges that people who return from abroad seek treatment if they develop symptoms of the disease

Isolation wards have been made ready at 14 hospitals in Kerala, including medical colleges, to tackle any escalation in the situation. (File)

A 38-year-old youth who landed in Kerala last week from the UAE was on Wednesday diagnosed with Mpox, an infectious disease caused by the monkeypox virus (MPXV).

The youth was admitted to the government medical college hospital in Malappuram’s Manjeri on Monday after he developed symptoms of the disease.

Health Minister Veena George Wednesday said the samples collected from him were tested at the virology lab at government medical college hospital in Kozhikode. She urged that all those who return from abroad seek treatment if they develop Mpox symptoms.

Isolation wards have been made ready at 14 hospitals in Kerala, including medical colleges, to tackle any escalation in the situation.

Also Read | Union health ministry issues mpox guidelines to states, emphasises on screening and testing suspected cases

The youth had reached home at Othayi village in Malappuram last week. After he developed symptoms, he initially went into self-quarantine at home and stopped interacting with anyone.

Last week, a patient with suspected Mpox symptoms had been admitted to Delhi’s Safdarjung Hospital.

Mpox was declared a ‘Public Health Emergency of International Concern’ — the highest level of alert by the World Health Organization — last month.

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After the WHO alert, experts assessed the risk of the infection in India and said there was a possibility of a few imported cases but the threat of a large outbreak with sustained transmission was low.

Shaju Philip

Shaju Philip is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, where he leads the publication's coverage from Kerala. With over 25 years of experience in mainstream journalism, he is one of the most authoritative voices on the socio-political, religious, and developmental landscape of South India. Expertise, Experience, and Authority Decades of Regional Specialization: Shaju has spent more than two decades documenting the "Kerala Model" of development, its complex communal dynamics, and its high-stakes political environment. Key Coverage Beats: His extensive reporting portfolio includes: Political & Governance Analysis: In-depth tracking of the LDF and UDF coalitions, the growth of the BJP in the state, and the intricate workings of the Kerala administration. Crime & Investigative Journalism: Noted for his coverage of high-profile cases such as the gold smuggling probe, political killings, and the state’s counter-terrorism efforts regarding radicalization modules. Crisis Management: He has led ground-level reporting during major regional crises, including the devastating 2018 floods, the Nipah virus outbreaks, and the Covid-19 pandemic response. ... Read More

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