Suspected Monkeypox Case Reported from Kerala's Malappuram, Samples Sent for Testing

Kochi: Amid the ongoing global scare of monkeypox, a suspected case has been reported in Kerala 's Malappuram district. The individual, who recently returned from abroad, has shown symptoms of the disease.

According to a district health official, the patient, who arrived in Kerala a few days ago, initially sought treatment at a private hospital before being transferred to Manjeri Medical College. “From there he was admitted to the Manjeri Medical College. On suspecting that it might be a case of monkeypox, we sent his samples to the Kozhikode Medical College for testing. The results are awaited,” the official said.

This development comes after a new case of monkeypox ( Mpox ) was reported last week in the national capital. A 26-year-old resident from Hisar, Haryana , tested positive for the virus and was admitted to Delhi's LNJP Hospital. The Union Health Ministry described this case as isolated, similar to the 30 cases reported in India since July 2022. It emphasised that this case is not part of the current public health emergency reported by the WHO, which concerns clade 1 of mpox. The Hisar patient tested positive for mpox of the West African clade-2, according to the ministry.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared mpox a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) for the second time last month due to its prevalence and spread across various parts of Africa. Mpox infections are typically self-limiting, lasting between two and four weeks, with patients usually recovering through supportive medical care. The disease is transmitted through prolonged and close contact with an infected individual and generally presents with fever, rash, and swollen lymph nodes, which can lead to various medical complications.

The suspected monkeypox case in Kerala arises amidst ongoing containment efforts in Malappuram following the recent death of a 24-year-old man from Nipah virus infection. The government confirmed on Sunday that the deceased, who died on September 9, was infected with Nipah. Additionally, a boy from Malappuram undergoing treatment for Nipah infection died on July 21, marking the first confirmed Nipah case in the state this year.

Nipah outbreaks have previously been reported in Kozhikode in 2018, 2021, and 2023, and in Ernakulam district in 2019. Nipah virus antibodies have been detected in bats across Kozhikode, Wayanad, Idukki, Malappuram, and Ernakulam districts.