According to the health department, the patient is stable and showing no serious complications. He is expected to be discharged soon
Mangaluru: A case of Monkeypox (Mpox) has been confirmed in a 40-year-old male in Mangaluru, a native of Karkala in Udupi district.
A press statement from the health department on Thursday stated that the confirmation came from the National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune, on January 22.
The person, who has been residing in Dubai for the past 19 years, arrived in Mangaluru on January 17. He displayed symptoms of rashes and a history of fever two days prior to his arrival. The patient was immediately isolated at a private hospital, and his Mpox samples were sent to Bangalore Medical College (BMC) and subsequently to NIV, Pune for confirmation.
According to the health department, the patient is stable and showing no serious complications. He is expected to be discharged soon.
The patient's 36-year-old wife, who received him at the airport, has been identified as a primary contact and has been advised to remain in isolation for a few days to monitor any potential symptoms.
The health department reassured the public, urging them not to panic given the mild nature of the disease and its lower infectivity compared to other viruses.
However, individuals are advised to stay alert for common symptoms such as skin rashes, fever, headache, muscle aches, chills, sweating, sore throat, and cough. Those with a travel history to countries with high Mpox risks or who have been in close contact with affected individuals are urged to get tested.
The government has not issued any mandatory testing instructions for international travelers at this time. While a vaccine for Mpox exists and is recommended for high-risk populations, such as healthcare workers, the Government of India has not yet recommended it for the general public due to the low number of cases detected so far.
