The first case of monkeypox has been confirmed in Kerala today. The 35-year-old, who arrived from abroad, showed symptoms of monkeypox and was put under observation. Health Minister Veena George informed that caution should be exercised and his health condition is satisfactory.
The Kollam native landed in Thiruvananthapuram airport from UAE and went first to his home. About 11 persons are on the close contact list including those who travelled with him in the flight and they are now under observation.
Earlier today, his samples were collected and sent to the National Institute of Virology for testing.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), 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.