Kerala confirms second Mpox case, boosts precautions statewide

Health Minister Veena George has urged all international travellers returning to Kerala to seek immediate medical attention if they exhibit Mpox symptoms.

Kerala has reported its second case of Mpox after a youth from the UAE tested positive for the disease, caused by the monkeypox virus (MPXV), according to The Indian Express. The patient, currently hospitalised in Ernakulam, is in stable condition, the report added citing health department officials.

This follows the state’s first Mpox case, reported last week, involving a 38-year-old man from Malappuram who also returned from the UAE. He was later diagnosed with the Clade 1B infection, the first case of this clade in India. The World Health Organization (WHO) had declared Mpox a ‘Public Health Emergency of International Concern’ due to the risks associated with this variant.

Health Minister Veena George has urged all international travellers returning to Kerala to seek immediate medical attention if they exhibit Mpox symptoms. To manage any potential surge, the health department has prepared isolation wards in 14 hospitals across the state, ensuring readiness to tackle the situation should it escalate.

(This is a developing story, more updates to follow)