India has reported its third case of monkeypox infection in Kerala in a man who had arrived in the country from the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The 35-year old man came to Kerala from the UAE earlier this month. Kerala's Health Minister Veena George said the man, a native of Malappuram, arrived in the state on July 6 and had fever since July 13.
George said he was undergoing treatment at the Manjeri Medical College and his health condition is stable. She added that all those who were in close contact with the patient are being closely monitored and their health condition is also stable.
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George further urged people to not panic as testing and surveillance have been intensified across the state.
Following a high-level meeting with health department officials in Thiruvananthapuram, George said, "Everybody should be aware about the disease. Isolation facilities have been arranged in all districts. Surveillance has been intensified after setting up help desks in airports."
George also directed to ensure that all health workers in the state are trained to deal with the disease.
India had last week reported a second confirmed case of monkeypox from Kerala's Kannur district.
It was a patient, a native of Kannur in north Kerala, who arrived in the state on July 13 and is undergoing treatment at the Pariyaram Medical College there.
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The first case of monkeypox, a rare but potentially serious viral illness, was reported from Kollam district of south Kerala on July 14. The patient is currently undergoing treatment at the Government Medical College Hospital, Thiruvananthapuram.
According to the World Health Organisation, monkeypox 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.
With the eradication of smallpox in 1980 and subsequent cessation of smallpox vaccination, monkeypox has emerged as the most important orthopoxvirus for public health.
(With PTI inputs)
