KOCHI: Mpox has been confirmed in the state again. A youth from Ernakulam was diagnosed with the disease. The youth, who came from abroad is presently undergoing treatment in the hospital.

A native of Malappuram, who reached Kerala from the UAE, was the first to be confirmed with the disease in the state. The health department also stated that the clade one B variant of Mpox was found in a native of Malappuram for the first time in India. The health department has instructed people coming from countries where the disease has been reported to report at the airport if they have any symptoms.

Since 2022, although there is a spread of monkeypox in many parts of the world, the outbreak has been intensified in the last few days. The disease is prevalent in West, Central and East African countries. There is an increase in patient rates in America and Europe. The present expansion started last January. In addition to the Republic of Congo, the disease has also spread to neighbouring countries such as Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda.