Second Mpox Case Confirmed in Kerala, 29-Year-Old Man Hospitalised

Kochi: A 29-year-old man, who had recently returned from UAE, has tested positive for monkeypox; this is the second case of mpox in Kerala .

Second Case of Mpox Confirmed in Kerala

According to Veena George, Kerala Health Minister, a 29-year-old man, who had a travel history and has recently returned from UAE, shows symptoms of monkeypox virus and was tested positive. 

The Kerala Health Minister told reporters, “He had recently arrived in the state from abroad with symptoms. He is currently admitted to a private hospital in Kochi and is stable.”

First Case of Monkeypox Also Reported in Kerala

India reported its first case of the Mpox strain, in Kerala , Malappuram last week. The patient was a 38-year-old man who travelled from United Arab Emirates (UAE). This was the strain after which WHO declared a public health emergency last month, sources were quoted as saying by news agency ANI on Monday.

Earlier, a 26-year-old resident of Haryana 's Hisar who has tested positive for the previous West African Clade 2 strain earlier this month.

What is Mpox ? Know its Symptoms, Precautions

Mpox is a viral infection caused by the monkeypox virus, which is part of the same family as smallpox. People affected by Mpox often suffer from a rash, accompanied by other symptoms. The illness typically spreads through direct contact with an affected person or contaminated surfaces or objects. In some cases, the virus can be transmitted from infected wild animals to humans, as Mpox is a zoonotic disease. Reports indicate that the virus causing Mpox has been found in small rodents, monkeys, and other mammals.

However, a US CDC report states that Mpox does not spread through the air like COVID-19. "Traveling on a flight with a person with Mpox does not appear to constitute an exposure risk or warrant routine contact tracing activities," reports suggest. Mpox usually spreads through direct or close contact with an infected person, including skin-to-skin contact such as touching or sexual activity, and respiratory droplets from face-to-face interactions such as talking, kissing, or breathing nearby.

Typically, affected patients may experience rashes for at least 2-4 weeks, along with other symptoms like fever, muscle aches, back pain, headaches, and swollen lymph nodes. While cases of Mpox do not usually endanger life, some people may face severe symptoms. The rash may appear similar to blisters or sores and can be seen on the affected person's face, hands, feet, and genital areas. It can also affect mucous membranes, such as the mouth, throat, or eyes. In serious cases, patients may experience inflammation of the rectum (proctitis) or genitals, which can cause significant pain or difficulty urinating.

As there is no specific antiviral treatment for mpox, care focuses on symptom management, including pain relief and prevention of complications. Most people with mpox who have intact immune systems and do not have skin disease can recover without medical treatment, relying on supportive care and pain control.