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.