India Confirms ​First Case of New Monkeypox Strain

India ⁤has confirmed its first case⁣ of⁣ the “clade 1b“‌ strain of monkeypox, a ‍new strain of the virus.

Case Details

According to ⁤foreign news agencies, Indian authorities confirmed on Tuesday,​ September 24, ⁢2024, that ⁢a 38-year-old man from Kerala, who recently returned from Dubai in‍ the United Arab⁤ Emirates, ​has been infected with the “clade 1b”⁣ strain of monkeypox.

The patient‍ is ‍currently undergoing treatment in a ‌hospital in Malappuram‌ district, and officials are monitoring over‌ 60 close contacts, including 29 friends​ and⁤ family members and 39 other⁤ passengers‌ who were on the same flight.

About the Clade 1b Strain

Clade 1b is a new strain of the ​monkeypox virus that emerged late last year and is currently spreading to many countries‍ in‌ Africa. The World Health Organization⁤ (WHO)‌ declared⁣ an‍ international ⁣public health emergency in‍ August‍ due to concerns about ⁢the spread of this strain to other countries outside ​of Africa.

Monkeypox in India

Over the past two years, India has reported more ⁢than 30⁣ cases ⁤of monkeypox infection, but all ‌were ⁣infected ​with the “clade 2” strain, which is less contagious and less deadly than the clade 1b strain.

The M.Pox virus can spread from​ animals ‍to humans‍ and from person to person through contact with an infected person, ‌including having sex, touching, talking, or breathing in close⁣ proximity. Symptoms include fever, muscle ⁣aches, swollen lymph nodes, and blisters all over the body. If ⁤left ​untreated, it can cause ‍death.

Prevention and Treatment

Health officials​ are working to prevent the spread of the virus and are monitoring the situation closely. The patient is currently recovering, and officials‌ are‍ following up with close contacts‍ to ⁤ensure that the⁢ infection does not‌ spread further.