The first case of Monkeypox in India has been reported from Kerala. The patient arrived in the state on July 12 after travelling from the United Arab Emirates. Kerala Health Minister Veena George stated, “All steps are being taken as per the guidelines issued by WHO and ICMR”.
According to the health ministry, the patient is in good health and all vital signs are normal. “The primary contacts are identified – his father, mother, taxi driver, auto driver, and 11 passengers of the same flight who were in adjacent seats,” it said as quoted by ANI.
Meanwhile, the Centre has announced the deployment of a multidisciplinary Central team to assist the Kerala government in examining the outbreak and implementing necessary health measures.
“In view of the report of confirmation of a case of Monkeypox disease from Kollam district, Kerala, it has been decided to depute the following multi-disciplinary Central Team to support State Government of Kerala in investigating the outbreak and institute requisite public health measures” an official statement said.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has announced that an emergency meeting will be held next week to determine whether Monkeypox should be declared a global emergency. Last month, the agency stated that the outbreak did not yet warrant a declaration, but that it would look into issues such as whether Monkeypox is infecting more vulnerable populations, such as children, and whether the virus is causing more severe disease.
What are the signs and symptoms of the Monkeypox virus?
Monkeypox is a rare viral infection that is rarely transmitted from person to person. According to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), “it is usually a mild self-limiting illness and most people recover within a few weeks. However, severe illness can occur in some individuals.”
Some of the common symptoms include muscle aches, backache, headache, swollen lymph nodes, chills, and exhaustion. The illness’s initial phase lasts about 5 days. “Patients may experience a combination of fever and/or chills, lymphadenopathy, headache, myalgia, backache and exhaustion. Fever is present in most, but not all patients.”
A rash appears in the second phase. According to the WHO, it is believed that in 95 percent of cases, it is concentrated on the face.