Kerala man under observation, Mpox suspected

Malappuram, Sep 17 (IANS) A 38-year-old man who arrived from the UAE last week is put under observation for suspected MPox.The man from Edavana near here arrived from UAE last week.After a few days, he developed rashes and also had fever. On Monday, he was admitted to the state-run Manjeri Medical College Hospital and has been isolated.A sample has now gone for testing to Kozhikode Medical College and results are awaited.Doctors treating the patient said that his fever has come down.Health Minister Veena George said that the youth was isolated at home itself and we are awaiting the result of the sample of the suspected MPox case.

George is in Malappuram overseeing the coordination of authorities after a 23-year-old student from the district passed away last Monday and only the other day, the sample tested positive for Nipah.

“175 contacts of the student who died of Nipah have been identified. 13 samples tested negative. 26 people are in the category of the highest risk. Day 7 to 9 are crucial for this category and all of them have been closely monitored. As of now, there is nothing to be worried about. A survey is presently on and the route map is ready based on the call details of the deceased and all things are closely monitored,” said George.

“Our health officials have got in touch with their counterparts in Karnataka as the deceased was a student in Bengaluru. The Centre is also taken into confidence and there is a close coordination also,” said George.

“The incubation period is 21 days but in Kerala, we have taken more caution and it has been doubled,” said George.