India Records First Monkeypox Death In Kerala, Probe Ordered

Kochi: A Kerala man, who had tested positive for monkeypox in another country, died in Kerala's Thrissur on July 31.

According to reports, the youth had landed in Kerala on July 22 from the United Arab Emirates.

This case happened to be India's first monkeypox death and the fourth one outside Africa.

"A high-level inquiry will be conducted into the death of a person with symptoms of monkeypox in Chavakkad Kuranjiyur. The result of the test conducted in a foreign country was positive. He sought treatment in Thrissur," Kerala Health Minister Veena George said on July 31 following the incident.

"Delay in seeking treatment will be investigated. The health department called a meeting in Punnayur regarding the death of a young man due to monkeypox. A contact list and route map of the deceased youth were prepared," she added.

The health department has reached out to those people with whom the victim was in touch after his arrival in India from the UAE to isolate and monitor them.

The victim had played football along with his friends after reaching home on July 22. All of them have been asked to go in isolation after the youth was detected with the disease.

Meanwhile, India has so far reported as many as 5 monkeypox cases, of which 3 are from Kerala.

Spain on Saturday reported a second death from monkeypox in as many days. These are believed to be the first confirmed monkeypox fatalities in Europe since its recent spread beyond Africa.

The monkeypox outbreak has seen more than 22,000 cases in nearly 80 countries since May. There have been 75 suspected deaths in Africa, mostly in Nigeria and Congo.

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