Monkeypox scare: ICMR shares update on testing laboratories day after first case found in Kerala

The Union Ministry of Health on Thursday rushed a high-level multi-disciplinary team to Kerala to collaborate with the state health authorities in instituting public health measures in view of the confirmed case of monkeypox.

TN National Desk

Updated Jul 15, 2022, 13:20 IST

India on Thursday detected the first case of monkeypox in Kerala's Kollam district. (AP)

New Delhi: A day after the first case of monkeypox was detected in Kerala, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) on Friday said that 15 research and diagnostic laboratories have been trained across the country for the detection of the virus. India on Thursday detected the first case of monkeypox in Kerala's Kollam district.

"To help the country's preparedness for monkeypox detection, 15 Virus Research and Diagnostic Laboratories across the country, which are geographically well distributed and strategically located, have already been trained in the diagnostic test by ICMR -NIV, Pune," the ICMR said in a tweet.

The Central team to Kerala comprises experts from the National Center for Disease Control (NCDC), Dr. RML Hospital, and a senior official from the Ministry of Health along with experts from the regional office of Health and Family Welfare, Kerala.

"The team shall work closely with the State Health Departments and take stock of on-ground situations and recommend necessary public health interventions," the health ministry said.

The Centre said it is taking proactive steps by monitoring the situation and coordinating with states in case of any such possibility of an outbreak.

Kerala Health Minister Veena George on Thursday informed that a case of monkeypox was detected and the person with the virus was a traveler from UAE. "He reached the state on 12th July. He reached Trivandrum airport and all the steps are being taken as per the guidelines issued by WHO and ICMR," she said while speaking to reporters.

George said the state health department has issued guidelines on monkeypox. "The patient is quite stable, and all the vitals are normal. The primary contacts are identified - his father, mother, taxi driver, auto driver, and 11 passengers of the same flight who were in adjacent seats," she said as per ANI.

The health minister said there is nothing to worry about or to be anxious about. "All the steps are being taken and the patient is stable," she said.

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