India reports Asia's first monkeypox death case

Samples of a 22-year-old man, who died in Kerala on July 30, came out positive for monkeypox on Monday, reported Kerala health authorities. The man had returned to India on July 21 from UAE and was admitted to a hospital on July 27 in Thrissur.

The death in India is also the first in Asia, reported Reuters.

"The person died on July 30. Health dept teams went there, samples sent to NIV, test results show he was monkeypox positive. Team constituted, genomic sequencing being done at NIV," said Kerala health minister Veena George.


Furthermore, 20 people who were identified as being at high risk, including family members, friends and medical staff, are kept under observation, she added.


His samples were sent to NIV Pune and the results came on Monday as positive.

Hafeez, the 22-year-old, passed away on Sunday and after that suspicions were there if it was monkeypox. Soon the health authorities swung into action and started preparing a detailed contact list of him after his arrival at the Kozhikode airport.

It has been found out that four of his friends and his family members were also there, to receive him at the airport.

On July 27, he collapsed and was taken to a local clinic and from there he was moved to a hospital, where he was undergoing treatment and passed away on Sunday.

The health department has already begun their job to get in touch with all those who came in contact with the deceased.

The health officials are also finding out if any information was withheld. State Revenue Minister K. Rajan, who hails from Trissur, said so far 21 people have been identified as primary contacts and have been isolated.


(With inputs from agencies)