Second monkeypox case reported in Kerala; Dakshina Kannada on alert

Mangaluru: In the wake of the second case of monkeypox being reported in Kerala, the health department in Dakshina Kannada is on alert.
The 31-year-old man from Kannur is Kerala, who is infected with monkeypox had arrived at Mangalore International Airport (MIA) from Dubai on July 13.
District surveillance officer Dr Jagadeesh told TOI “The person travelled from MIA to Kannur in a private vehicle. We have been screening passengers with thermal scanner for fever and rashes and other symptoms at the airport. On July 15, he found rashes on his body and consulted a doctor and later got admitted at the medical college hospital in Kannur. Today we have received information that he tested positive for monkeypox.”
There were 191 passengers in the flight in which the patient arrived at MIA, he said. “We have taken extra precaution as per Covid-19 protocols. We have collected the contact details of all passengers who travelled in the three rows close to the patient’s seat in the flight. There are 10 passengers who are from Dakshina Kannada, eight from Udupi and 15 from Kasaragod district,” he said.
“We have already isolated six from Dakshina Kannada and others are in touch. No one has symptoms, but we will continue to monitor them over phone or in case they require any assistance, we will send a team. They have been asked to contact us in case they have any symptoms, and they must be in isolation for 21 days,” he added.
In fact, the health team was prepared soon after knowing about passengers showing symptoms, he said. “I, along with District Covid-19 nodal officer Dr Ashok H have already held discussions with airport authorities regarding the health screening. Screening of passengers has been done at the airport for the past one month,” Dr Jagadeesh said.
RCH officer Dr BV Rajesh, who is the DHO in-charge, said, “We have instructed officials to continue screening at the airport and report in case any suspected case is found. A ward with 10 beds has been reserved at Wenlock District Hospital as a precautionary measure. If any suspected case of monkeypox reported here, the Wenlock Hospital is ready to take care of the cases.”