India’s first Monkeypox death recorded in Kerala

A 22-year-old man, who had tested positive for monkeypox, died in Kerala’s Thrissur district on Saturday. Confirming the death of the patient, Kerala health minister Veena George has ordered a probe. 
This is the first death due to monkeypox in India and fourth death outside Africa. 
 

The man, who was working in the United Arab Emirates, returned to Kerala on June 22. A few days later he had fallen sick. He had tested positive for monkeypox when his blood samples were taken and sent for the test. Subsequently, he was admitted to a hospital and was undergoing treatment. 
 

Following the incident, George on Sunday said that a high-level inquiry will be conducted into the death of a person with symptoms of monkeypox in Chavakkad Kuranjiyur. 
“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.