Kerala reports fifth monkeypox case in 30-year-old UAE returnee

Kerala reported fifth case of monkeypox after a 30-year-old UAE returnee tested positive for the viral disease. 

State Health Minister Veena George said that the patient is undergoing treatment in Malappuram. "He had reached Kozhikode airport on July 27 from UAE," Kerala Health Minister Veena George said.

It is worth mentioning that the first confirmed death due to monkeypox virus in India was reported in Kerala. 

The state government confirmed that samples of a 22-year-old man, who died on 30 July, tested positive, making him the first monkeypox-related fatality.

As many as 20 contacts of the deceased monkeypox patient, including family members, friends, a helper and those who played football with him are in the high-risk category and are under "self-observation" in the Thrissur district of Kerala.

The total number of monkeypox cases in India has now increased to seven.

Last month, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the monkeypox outbreak as a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC).

It announcement of highest alert level came after the infection has affected nearly 16,000 people in 72 countries, including India.