Kerala reports India’s 1st monkeypox case; Centre rushes high-level team

States told to ensure screening, testing of all suspect cases at points of entry

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: India reported its first case of monkeypox on Thursday, with a Keralite who returned from the UAE testing positive for the virus, prompting the Centre to rush a high-level multi-disciplinary team to collaborate with the State Health Authorities in instituting public health measures.

The case was confirmed through the testing of the samples of the symptomatic person at the National Institute of Virology, Pune, Health

Minister Veena George said.

The country’s first case of the virus was reported on a day when the Centre asked states to ensure screening and testing of all suspect cases at points of entry and in the community as part of India’s preparedness against the disease.

All samples of the infected persons have been tested positive, she said, confirming the country’s first case of the rare virus. All measures have been taken to prevent the spread of the disease, the minister said, adding there was no cause for concern.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, in a statement, too said there was no cause for concern presently and said just like the spread of Covid19 was checked, monkeypox can also be contained.

Vijayan added the patient was kept in isolation after he began showing signs of the disease and those who were in contact with him are being closely observed.

The man, hailing from Kollam district, arrived at the airport here from the UAE on July 12 and all his close contacts have been identified, the minister said.

A health ministry source said that five people including his relatives and a taxi and an auto driver had close contact with him. Besides them, he had 13 primary contacts in the flight and they have also been identified, the source said.