By Agencies

Kannur: The Kerala government on Monday confirmed the second positive case of monkeypox, days after the first case of the highly infectious disease was detected in the southern state, triggering a countrywide alert. “The second positive case of Monkeypox in Kerala has been confirmed in Kannur District,” Kerala’s Health Ministry said, according to ANI. Kerala Health Minister Veena George said that a 31-year-old man who arrived in Kerala last week from Dubai has tested positive for monkeypox.

“The man from Kannur is currently undergoing treatment at Pariyaram Medical College. The patient’s health condition is reported to be satisfactory. Those in close contact with him have been put under surveillance,” Veena George said.

The youngster, who had reached Kerala from abroad, was earlier admitted to Pariyaram Medical College in a suspected case of monkeypox, the district medical officer (DMO) said. The youngster, who had reached Mangaluru International Airport on Saturday, got himself admitted to the hospital after he experienced symptoms.

“His samples have been sent for testing and the infection can only be confirmed after the results are out,” DMO said. The patient is currently in an isolation ward at the medical college hospital.

After the first case of monkeypox in the country was reported from Kerala on Thursday, a Central team had been sent to the State. The first case is that of a Keralite who returned from the UAE on July 12.