Deepshikha Maan, Jadetimes Staff
D. Maan is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Asia
India Confirms First Case of New Mpox Strain in Current Outbreak
India has reported its first case of the new mpox variant, known as clade 1b, which has prompted a public health emergency alert from the World Health Organization (WHO). This highly transmissible strain has been linked to the ongoing mpox outbreak in Africa.
According to media reports, the case was identified in a 38-year-old man from Kerala who recently returned from Dubai. Mpox, formerly referred to as monkeypox, is a contagious virus that causes painful skin lesions. The WHO declared mpox a public health emergency in Africa in August.
Since then, this more severe variant has spread to several countries outside Africa, including Sweden, Thailand, and Pakistan. On Tuesday, a Health Ministry spokesperson confirmed the Kerala case belonged to clade 1.
The patient is currently receiving treatment in a hospital, and authorities are tracking and monitoring all individuals he came into contact with. Health officials stated that 29 of the patient's friends and family, along with 37 passengers from his flight, are being monitored, although none have shown symptoms thus far.
Over the past two years, India has reported more than 30 cases of mpox, but these were attributed to the less contagious clade 2 strain. Earlier this month, the new variant was also detected in a patient from Haryana.
Mpox spreads from animals to humans and through close contact between individuals, including skin-to-skin contact, sexual activity, and close conversations. Symptoms include fever, muscle pain, swollen lymph nodes, and lesions. If left untreated, the virus can be fatal.
In response to the outbreak, the federal government has issued an advisory, urging states to remain alert for potential mpox cases. Around 35 laboratories across the country have been designated for testing suspected cases.
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