2nd monkeypox case: Kerala man traveled through MIA; 35 persons in isolation

Mangaluru: As many as 35 persons have been asked to isolate themselves following the detection of the second monkeypox case in neighboring Kerala.

Union Health Ministry officials said in New Delhi that the patient in Kannur had landed at the Mangaluru airport in Karnataka from Dubai on July 13.

The 31-year-old man had arrived at Manglauru International Airport on a flight from UAE and proceeded to Kannur. After noticing symptoms, the man reported himself for testing at a hospital. The lab results confirmed the infection on Monday. He is undergoing treatment at the Pariyaram Medical College.

As a precaution, the passengers who had been seated 3 rows in front and the back of the man have been identified, contacted, and instructed to isolate themselves. None among them have shown symptoms of monkeypox until now, District Covid Nodal Officer Dr. Ashok told “Udayavani”.

Among the 35 who are in isolation, 15 are from Kasaragod, 15 from Dakshina Kannada, and 8 are from Udupi. They will have to remain in isolation for 21 days and take precautions just like Covid. The government health officials in each district are monitoring their health conditions.

The immigration officer who processed the documents of the traveller, and a flight attendant have also been asked to remain in isolation. There were 191 passengers on the flight.

According to the World Health Organisation, 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.

With the eradication of smallpox in 1980 and the subsequent cessation of smallpox vaccination, monkeypox has emerged as the most important orthopoxvirus for public health.

(With PTI inputs)