Kochi: The first case of Monkeypox has been confirmed in the country on July 14. A person from Kerala has been found infected with the virus and has recently returned to India from the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This person's report has come positive. After which he has been admitted to a hospital in Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of Kerala. The infected person had shown symptoms of the monkeypox virus. After which his sample was taken and he was sent to the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune for testing.

Kerala Health Minister Veena George has informed that a man who had returned from the UAE three days ago had come in contact with another infected person there. Samples of the individual were tested at NIV Pune, which confirmed monkeypox on Thursday. She pointed out that monkeypox is a viral zoonotic disease, which has symptoms like smallpox. For the first time in the year 1958, these symptoms were seen in monkeys as a smallpox-like disease, after which it was named 'Monkeypox'. She said "The person from Kerala who has been found to be infected with Monkeypox has been identified. 11 people had come in contact with him, though the patient's condition is said to be stable. All his limbs are normal and working. Primary contacts of those who came in contact have been identified. There's nothing to worry about. All precautionary measures are being taken and the patient's condition is stable.''
 
Kerala administration on alert over Monkeypox:-

With the Kerala administration on alert since the first case of monkeypox was reported in Kerala, the Union Health Ministry has ordered the deployment of multi-disciplinary central teams to assist the Kerala government in testing the virus and implementing all necessary health measures.  

What is Monkeypox:-

Monkeypox is an orthopoxvirus, which is similar to smallpox. Monkeypox is mostly spread from animals to humans. It is a viral infection, which was first detected in a monkey captured in 1958. In 1970, monkeypox infection was first detected in humans.

Characteristics of Monkeypox:-

Its initial symptoms are like the flu. These include fever, headache, muscle aches, backache, shivering, and fatigue. After this, a pus-filled rash starts to emerge on the face, which also spreads to other parts of the body and after a few days dries and falls off. According to the WHO, the symptoms of monkeypox can come from the 5th day of infection to the 21st day. Monkeypox can be spread by exposure to fluids (sneezes, saliva) emitted from the bodies of infected animals or infected humans. The estimated rate of spread of this virus is said to be 3.3 to 30 per cent. Monkeypox is usually spread by coming into contact with one human being. This virus can go in through a surface, bed, cloth or breath. This virus is also spread by skin-to-skin contact.

Treatment of Monkeypox:-

People who are exposed to this virus are often given a few doses of smallpox vaccines. Along with this, scientists are also engaged in making its antiviral drugs. The European Center for Disease Prevention and Control has advised isolating all patients with Monkeypox and administering the smallpox vaccine.

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