Kerala reports suspected monkeypox death

A suspected monkeypox death was reported in Kerala. The deceased patient's swab samples were sent for testing to ICMR-National Institute of Virology in Alappuzha on Saturday.

"The deceased 22-year-old man from Thrissur had tested positive for monkeypox in the UAE, a day before he returned to India, said Kerala health minister Veena George.

The man, who had reached India on July 21, was staying with his family and was admitted to a



private hospital only on July 27.

A detailed inquiry will be conducted on why he sought treatment late, said the health minister.

The government is waiting for confirmation from the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune.

The health minister said that the patient was young and did not suffer from any other illness or health problems and therefore, the health department was looking into the cause of his death.