Monkeypox In India:
The first known lab-confirmed case of monkeypox in India has been reported in a 35-year-old man in Kerala, who reached the State capital three days ago from the UAE.
- Monkeypox initially presents like any tropical disease with fever, headache, joint ache and possible swelling of the lymph glands.
- The incubation period for the disease the time from exposure to the virus to the manifestation of symptoms ranges from five to 21 days.
- Rashes appear on the face, inside palms and the body one to four days after fever.
- The course of the disease could last two to four weeks, during which time the rashes progress into pustules, vesicular lesions and scabs.
- Transmission happens only through close contact and by touching or sharing the clothes or bedding used by the patient, because the lesions usually have a high viral load.
- Transmission also extends throughout the course of the illness, till the lesions heal.
