Monkeypox test run on 17 samples in Maharashtra, no positive case so far

Mumbai: The state's public health department said on Friday that 17 samples have been tested for monkeypox in Maharashtra. However, none of them has come positive for the viral disease declared a public health emergency in the US on Thursday.

Currently, National Institute of Virology in Pune and Kasturba Hospital in Chinchpokli are testing samples of monkeypox. Of 17 samples, 11 were tested at NIV Pune and six at Kasturba Hospital, Dr Pradeep Awate, state surveillance officer, said on Friday. The US declaration came after World Health Organization also designated the outbreak an emergency last month. India has reported nine cases of monkeypox, including five in Kerala and four from Nigeria.