Kerala Reports Two New Monkeypox Cases, Infected Travellers Had Recently Returned From UAE

While one of the patients from Wayanad district was initially found to be infected, the second person, a resident of Kannur, was tested positive later.

Two cases of monkeypox (Mpox) have been reported in Kerala in travellers who recently returned to the state from UAE, state Health Minister Veena George said on Wednesday.

The two men, who recently returned from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), were tested positive for the disease, the minister said. 

While one of the patients from Wayanad district was initially found to be infected, the second person, a resident of Kannur, was tested positive later. The patients are currently undergoing treatment at Pariyaram Medical College in Kannur. 

Following the detection of the fresh cases, the Kerala Health Department has directed those who came in contact with the patients to monitor for any symptoms and report them accordingly. The health department further said that their contact tracing details and movement history will be released soon.

It also urged those who came into contact with the two patients to monitor themselves for symptoms and report any signs of illness promptly.

A state-level Rapid Response Team (RRT), convened under the state health minister, held a meeting to assess the situation and issued directives to arrange additional isolation facilities.

Travellers arriving from abroad who develop symptoms have been advised to isolate themselves and inform the health department immediately, it said.

Awareness campaigns, including those at airports, have been intensified. Vulnerable groups such as the elderly, pregnant women, and children have been urged to exercise extra caution, the statement added.

Kerala had reported a few monkeypox cases in September this year, following the global outbreak of the disease.

Monkeypox is a viral illness caused by the monkeypox virus, a species of the genus Orthopoxvirus. Some of the Common symptoms of the viral disease are a skin rash or mucosal lesions which can last 2–4 weeks accompanied by fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, low energy and swollen lymph nodes. It can be transmitted through close contact with someone who has mpox, with contaminated materials, or with infected animals.