India Reports First Case of Deadly Mpox Strain, Raising Global Alarm
India has detected its first case of a more dangerous mpox strain, raising global concerns. The Ib clade of the virus was identified in a 38-year-old man in Kerala, who had recently returned from Dubai. Health authorities have successfully managed previous outbreaks of infectious diseases in the state, such as Nipah virus.
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India Reports First Case of Deadly Mpox Strain, Raising Global Alarm
Mpox strain spreads globally.
India has reported its first case of a more dangerous strain of mpox, raising concerns among global health officials due to its rapid spread. The Ib clade of the virus was identified in a 38-year-old man in Kerala, who had recently returned from Dubai. Kerala’s Health Minister, Veena George, praised the state’s effective healthcare system for identifying the case.
This outbreak, previously limited to the Democratic Republic of Congo, was declared a global health emergency by the World Health Organization (WHO) last month after it spread to four African countries that had not previously reported cases. Since then, the strain has also been found in several non-African countries, including Sweden and Thailand.
Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, is a viral illness that can transmit easily between individuals and from infected animals. It spreads through close contact such as touching, kissing, or sexual activity, as well as via contaminated items like bedding, clothing, and needles, according to the WHO.
Mpox patient recovers, contacts monitored.
Symptoms of mpox include fever, rash, lesions, headaches, muscle and back pain, fatigue, and swollen lymph nodes. The virus consists of two genetic clades, I and II, with clades representing broad groupings of viruses that have evolved over time. Clade II was responsible for a global outbreak that the WHO classified as a public health emergency from July 2022 to May 2023, while clade Ib is associated with more severe disease.
Dr. Shubhin C, a health official from Kerala’s Mallapuram district, reported that the infected patient is being monitored every four days while recovering in isolation at a local hospital. “The patient is improving; the lesions are healing, and there are no new lesions. He currently has no fever or other symptoms,” the doctor informed CNN, noting that the patient will be discharged after two consecutive negative test results.
Authorities have identified 29 individuals who had contact with the patient, and they are now in self-quarantine. Additionally, 37 passengers from the flight that arrived from Dubai and five other close contacts are under monitoring.
Kerala managed Nipah outbreak effectively.
Health authorities in Kerala have considerable experience in managing infectious diseases.
Health Minister George stated, “Surveillance has been enhanced, including at airports,” and noted that there are currently five testing facilities for mpox, with plans to establish more if necessary. Isolation facilities have also been set up.
Last year, the state successfully contained an outbreak of the Nipah virus that resulted in two fatalities. In response, schools were closed, and hundreds of individuals were tested to curb the spread of this rare and often fatal disease.
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