Kerala man with travel history shows suspected monkey pox symptoms
What's the story
A man in Malappuram district, Kerala, who recently returned from Dubai, has been admitted to a government hospital with suspected monkey pox (mpox) symptoms. If confirmed, this would be India's second case of the disease. The patient was initially treated at a private hospital before being transferred to Manjeri Medical College due to suspected mpox. His samples have been sent to Kozhikode Medical College for testing.
Initial outbreak
First case of monkey pox reported in Haryana
Earlier this week, a 26-year-old man from Haryana tested positive for mpox after returning from a country experiencing an outbreak. The patient is currently stable and has been isolated in a facility. He was confirmed to have the "Clade II" strain of the Monkeypox virus. This strain is not part of the current public health emergency declared by the World Health Organization (WHO), according to the Union Health Ministry.
Government response
Centre issues advisory to states and Union territories
In response to the mpox cases, the Centre has advised states and Union territories to screen and test all suspected cases in their communities. They have also been instructed to identify isolation facilities in hospitals for both suspects and confirmed patients. "While all States are requested...to make communities aware about the disease, its mode of spread...it is crucial that any undue panic amongst the masses is prevented," stated Union Health Secretary Apurva Chandra in an advisory letter.
Vaccine development
WHO prequalifies 1st vaccine against monkey pox
Separately, the WHO has declared mpox a public health emergency and prequalified the MVA-BN vaccine, manufactured by Bavarian Nordic A/S, as a preventive measure against monkey pox. "The prequalification approval is expected to facilitate timely...increased access to this vital product in communities with urgent need, to reduce transmission and help contain the outbreak," an official WHO release said. The disease is characterized by skin rashes all over the body that leave behind deep lesions and scars, fever, and flu-like symptoms.
Background
What are the symptoms of mpox
The WHO has said that the common symptoms of mpox are a skin rash or mucosal lesions which can last 2-4 weeks accompanied by fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, low energy and swollen lymph nodes. According to WHO, mpox can be transmitted through close contact with someone who has mpox, with contaminated materials, or with infected animals.