Malappuram, Sep 17 (IANS) A 38-year-old man from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has been put under observation on suspicion of having ampox. The man from Edavana in Kerala had arrived from the UAE last week.
A few days later, the man developed rashes on his body and also developed fever. The man was admitted to the Manjeri Medical College Hospital on Monday and has been isolated.
Now the person’s samples have been sent to Kozhikode Medical College for testing. The test report is awaited. The doctors treating the patient said that the person’s fever has subsided.
Health Minister Veena George said the person has been isolated. We are awaiting the test report of the sample of the suspected ampox case.
Veena George is overseeing the coordination of officials in Malappuram since a 23-year-old student from the district died last Monday. His sample was tested positive for Nipah virus just a few days ago.
Veena George said, “175 contacts of the student who died of Nipah virus have been identified. 13 samples have tested negative. 26 people are in the highest risk category. 7 to 9 days are critical for this category and all of them are being closely monitored. As of now, there is nothing to worry about. A survey is underway and a route map has been prepared based on the call details of the deceased and everything is being closely monitored.”
“The incubation period (of infection) is 21 days, but in Kerala we have been more cautious and have doubled it,” he said, George said.
–IANS
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