First Mpox Case In India Linked To Fast-Spreading Clade 1b Variant

India has confirmed its first case of Monkeypox (Mpox) from the Clade 1b strain in Malappuram district, Kerala. The patient, a 38-year-old man, recently returned from the UAE and is infected with the strain that prompted the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare a public health emergency.

Details of the Case

The man exhibited symptoms including fever and a rash similar to chickenpox, which led his doctor to suspect Mpox and send a sample for testing. Following confirmation of the infection, the state health department reported that he had isolated himself from his family after noticing symptoms.

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Previous Cases in India

Before this case, the first Mpox infection in India was reported in Delhi on September 11, involving a 26-year-old man from Hisar, Haryana. All 31 Mpox cases identified in India since 2022 have been linked to the Clade 2 strain, which is generally less severe than Clade 1.

Understanding Mpox Clade 1b

The WHO declared Mpox a public health emergency of international concern on August 14 due to the emergence of the Clade 1b strain, which is primarily spread through sexual networks and poses a significant threat, particularly in African nations. Clade 1, found mainly in the Congo Basin, is associated with higher rates of complications, including encephalitis and pneumonia. The Democratic Republic of the Congo is currently experiencing a rise in Mpox cases, largely driven by two distinct strains of Clade 1.

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