India Reports First Case of Deadlier Mpox Variant
India has confirmed its first case of a more virulent strain of mpox, a development that has heightened global health concerns due to the rapid spread of the virus, CNN reports.
The clade Ib strain, identified by health officials in Kerala, was detected in a 38-year-old man who recently traveled from Dubai.
Kerala’s Health Minister, Veena George, commended the state’s “robust health care system” for its success in detecting the virus. The strain, previously confined to the Democratic Republic of Congo, has been declared a global health emergency by the World Health Organization (WHO) as it spread to four additional African nations and several countries outside the continent, including Sweden and Thailand.
Mpox, previously known as monkeypox, is a viral disease that spreads easily among humans and from animals. According to WHO, the virus can transmit through close contact, including touching, kissing, sexual activity, and contaminated materials like clothing and needles. Symptoms include fever, rash, lesions, headaches, muscle and back pain, low energy, and enlarged lymph nodes.
The mpox virus consists of two genetic clades, I and II, with clade Ib associated with more severe illness. Clade II had previously sparked a global outbreak from July 2022 to May 2023, also prompting a global health emergency declaration from the WHO.
In Kerala’s Mallapuram district, health official Dr. Shubhin C reported that the infected patient is undergoing testing every four days while recovering in isolation at a local hospital.
“The patient is better. The lesions have started healing. No new lesions. He does not have any fever and no other symptoms now,” Dr. Shubhin said, noting the patient will be discharged upon receiving two consecutive negative test results.
Authorities have traced and quarantined 29 people who had contact with the patient, while monitoring 37 passengers from the patient’s flight from Dubai to Kerala and five of his close contacts.
Kerala, with a strong track record in managing infectious diseases, has bolstered surveillance efforts, including at airports, according to Health Minister George. The state has established five mpox testing facilities, with plans to expand if necessary. Isolation facilities are also in place to control the outbreak.
