Mpox confirmed in Kerala's Malappuram

Malappuram: A case of mpox has been confirmed in Malappuram district on Wednesday. A 38-year-old man from Othayi at Edavanna was admitted to Manjeri Medical College Hospital earlier with symptoms indicative of mpox, prompting health officials to take immediate action.

The patient, who had recently returned from the UAE, arrived at the hospital last Monday. He sought consultation with a dermatologist for a rash on his arm resembling chickenpox, accompanied by a fever. Given his travel history and the presentation of his symptoms, doctors decided to send a fluid sample for testing to the Kozhikode Medical College lab.

In a Facebook post, Kerala Health Minister Veena George announced, "The disease has been confirmed for the person who was under treatment with mpox symptoms in Malappuram. It is requested that anyone returning from other countries seek treatment and inform the health department if they experience symptoms." She added that treatment and isolation facilities have been arranged in designated hospitals, and phone numbers of nodal officers have been provided. Additional treatment facilities are available in all medical colleges.

What is Mpox:
Monkeypox is a rare viral infection similar to human smallpox. It was first discovered in 1958 in monkeys kept for research. The first human case of monkeypox was recorded in 1970. The disease occurs primarily in tropical rainforest areas of Central and West Africa and is occasionally exported to other regions.

“Monkeypox is a rare zoonotic disease that is caused by infection with monkeypox virus. Monkeypox virus belongs to the family Poxviridae, which also includes the viruses causing smallpox and cowpox disease,” said Dr Monalisa Sahu, consultant, Infectious Diseases, in Hyderabad's Yashoda Hospitals.

“Cases of monkeypox have been reported outside Africa, in US, Europe, Singapore, UK, and these cases have been linked to international travel and import of monkeys harbouring the disease,” Sahu told PTI.

Symptoms:

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), monkeypox typically presents itself with fever, rash and swollen lymph nodes and may lead to a range of medical complications. The disease is usually self-limiting with the symptoms lasting from two to four weeks. Severe cases can occur. In recent times, the case fatality ratio has been around 3-6 per cent but can be up to 10 per cent. There are no reported deaths in this current spread.

Transmission:

Monkeypox is transmitted to humans through close contact with an infected person or animal, or with material contaminated with the virus. It's thought to be spread by rodents such as rats, mice and squirrels, WHO said.

The disease is transmitted through lesions, body fluids, respiratory droplets and contaminated materials such as bedding. The virus is less contagious than smallpox and causes less severe illness, it said.

Health officials have noted some of these infections may be transmitted through sexual contact. The WHO said it was also investigating many cases being of people identifying as gay or bisexual.

“The natural reservoir of monkeypox remains unknown, although African rodents and non-human primates (like monkeys) can harbour the virus and infect people, causing the disease,” said Sahu.