THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In the wake of monkey pox being confirmed in the state, Health Minister Veena George said that all the districts are on alert in the state. As people from Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha and Kottayam have flight contact, special alert has been given to these districts. Health workers are contacting them in the morning and evening seeking information. If they have fever or any other symptoms, they will have to undergo tests including a Covid test. If they have symptoms of monkey pox, that test will also be done. Isolation will be set up in all districts. Special arrangements will be made in medical colleges. The health department has intensified preventive measures. The minister said there is no need to worry.

Airports should be cautious as there are passengers coming from countries where monkey pox has been confirmed. There is no need for unnecessary concern. People who boarded the flight along with the patient, should go self-quarantine. A monitoring cell will be formed in the state level. Guidelines will be issued to all districts.

The individual diagnosed with the disease arrived on the IndiGo flight from Sharjah to Thiruvananthapuram UAE time at 5 pm on July 12. There were 164 passengers and six cabin crew on board. Among them, 11 who were in the seats next to him are in the high risk contact list. The minister informed that those who have travelled on this flight should go under quarantine and if they have any symptoms in 21 days should inform the health workers.

Among the family members, his parents, auto and taxi drivers, a dermatologist of a private hospital and 11 passengers who were in the adjacent seats are now in the primary contact list. Immigration clearance officers and those handling the patient’s baggage will be observed. The condition of the patient is satisfactory, the health minister said.

All districts will be on alert. Expert training will be provided to the health workers. Coming face to face with the patient, using patient’s clothes, utensils and bed, approaching the patient without wearing a PPE kit and having sexual relations with the infected person will come under close contact, the minister said.