India recorded its first monkeypox virus death on its soil, making it the fourth reported death due to monkeypox outside Africa.

According to the BBC, India stated that the monkeypox death occurred in the southern state of "Kerala," where a 22-year-old young man, who had recently traveled to the United Arab Emirates, died last Saturday.
 

Monkeypox outbreak in India

Meanwhile, Veena George, the health official in Kerala state, explained that it was initially confirmed that the young man was infected with the virus abroad, and the samples tested after his death revealed the monkeypox virus.

She added that 20 high-risk contacts of monkeypox patients were identified and isolated, including 9 people who had interacted with this young man before his death and played football with him.

Although this disease is caused by the monkeypox virus, which belongs to the same family as smallpox viruses, it is much less severe, and experts say the chance of infection is low.

The World Health Organization (WHO) had declared that the monkeypox outbreak constitutes a global public health emergency.

Young man dies of monkeypox

India is currently on alert after recording the first monkeypox death, with George adding that after the man's death in Kerala state, the state government formed a high-level committee to review his medical reports.

The young man developed fever and swollen lymph nodes in his last moments, then was admitted to a private hospital for treatment since July 27, explaining that no rash appeared on his body, and doctors saw no reason to suspect monkeypox infection.

It was later confirmed that he contracted the monkeypox virus while in the UAE on July 19, days before leaving for Kerala, but his family did not inform health officials about his condition until July 30.

His health deteriorated rapidly in the hospital; he was on a ventilator before his death, and his samples were sent to the National Institute of Virology, which confirmed monkeypox on Monday.