Thiruvananthapuram: The first confirmed case of monkeypox has been reported in India. State Health Minister Veena George said on Thursday that a person who had returned to Kerala from abroad and was admitted to the hospital after showing symptoms of monkeypox.
Earlier in the day, the minister told reporters that samples of his symptomatic person have been collected and sent to the National Institute of Virology for testing. George said the man showed signs of monkeypox and was in close contact with a monkeypox patient abroad. In the evening, he confirmed that he had tested positive for the virus. This is the first case of this virus in Kerala.
Kerala health department issues guidelines on monkeypox, Veena George said, “The patient is quite stable, and all vitals are normal. The primary contacts have been identified – his father, mother, taxi driver, auto driver and 11 passengers of the same flight who were in the adjacent seats.” “There is nothing to worry or worry about. All steps are being taken and the patient is stable,” he said.
Meanwhile, following India’s first case of monkeypox in Kerala’s Kollam, the Union Health Ministry is set to deploy a multi-disciplinary central team to support the Kerala government in investigating the outbreak and instituting necessary health measures.
Following India’s first case of monkeypox in Kollam, Kerala, the Union Health Ministry will deploy a multi-disciplinary central team to investigate the outbreak and support the Kerala government in setting up necessary health measures. https://t.co/AhCcCBImx4 pic.twitter.com/E6Ia4uaRbp— ANI (@ANI) 14 July 2022
What is monkeypox?
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), monkeypox is a viral zoonosis (virus transmitted from animals to humans) with symptoms similar to those seen in the past in patients with smallpox, although it is clinically less severe. With the eradication of smallpox in 1980 and the subsequent cessation of smallpox vaccination, monkeypox has emerged as the most important orthopoxvirus for public health.
What are the symptoms of monkeypox virus?
The monkeypox virus usually presents itself with fever, rash, and swollen lymph nodes. It can also lead to a variety of medical complications. It is usually self-limiting with symptoms lasting two to four weeks and severe cases can occur.
How is monkeypox spread?
Monkeypox is spread to humans through close contact with an infected person or animal, or through material contaminated with the virus. According to reports, it is spread by rats like rats, mice and squirrels.
Monkeypox disease is spread through wounds, body fluids, respiratory droplets and contaminants such as bedding.
treatment of monkeypox
Vaccines used during the smallpox eradication program have also provided protection against the monkeypox virus. New vaccines have been developed, one of which has been approved for disease prevention. An antiviral agent developed to treat smallpox has also been licensed to treat monkeypox.
(with agency input)