The Centre rushed a high-level multi-disciplinary team to Kerala on Thursday to collaborate with state authorities in implementing public health measures after the first confirmed case of monkeypox in the country was detected in the Kollam district. A 35-year-old man who came from the UAE was admitted to Thiruvanthapuram Medical College a few days ago. Kerala Health Minister, Mrs. Veena George, stated that the infection was diagnosed in a 35-year-old man who had returned from the UAE.

The case was confirmed after samples were tested at the National Institute of Virology in Pune. She also added that eleven individuals, who had been in touch with the infected person on his return from the UAE on July 12, have been identified as contacts and are under observation.

The minister appealed to health workers and the public to keep vigil against the disease. She advised people to immediately seek medical help if they have any suspected symptoms, such as fever, headache, rashes, or blisters on the face, inside of the mouth, and other parts of the body. The disease spread through body fluids, and the patients and suspect should cover their bodies fully to avoid spreading the disease.