Thiruvananthapuram, Dec 18 (PTI) Two cases of monkeypox (Mpox) have been reported in Kerala, state Health Minister Veena George said on Wednesday.

Two men, who recently returned to Kerala from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), tested positive for the disease, she said.

Also Read | One Nation One Election: Priyanka Gandhi, Manish Tewari Among Congress MPs in Joint Parliamentary Committee on Bill for Simultaneous Polls.

One of the men from Wayanad district was initially found to be infected, and the second person, from Kannur, tested positive later, according to her statement.

Following the reports of the disease, the Health Department has directed those who came in contact with the patients to monitor for any symptoms and report them accordingly.

Also Read | PM Narendra Modi Should Sack Amit Shah From Cabinet if He Doesn't Quit on His Own: Mallikarjun Kharge Over Home Minister's BR Ambedkar Remarks.

Kerala had reported a few cases of monkeypox in September this year, following the global outbreak of the disease.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)