India reported its first case of the Monkeypox (Mpox) Clade 1 strain on Monday, identified in Kerala’s Malappuram district. The infected individual is a 38-year-old man who recently returned from the UAE. This is the same strain that prompted the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare a public health emergency.
“India reports its first MPOX Clade 1 case from Kerala’s Malappuram. The patient is a 38-year-old man who traveled from the UAE; this strain was responsible for WHO’s public health emergency declaration,” ANI sources confirmed. The man initially exhibited fever and a chickenpox-like rash, leading doctors to suspect Mpox and send samples for testing.
The 38-year-old tested positive for Mpox last week while receiving treatment, shortly after returning from Dubai, according to the state health department. Kerala’s Health Minister, Veena George, stated that the patient had taken preventive steps by isolating himself from his family upon noticing symptoms.
In a related case, Delhi reported its first Mpox infection on September 11, involving a 26-year-old from Hisar, Haryana. The patient was hospitalized at LNJP Hospital after testing positive for the West African Clade 2 strain.
Since 2022, all 31 Mpox cases in India have been attributed to Clade 2, making this the first occurrence of Clade 1.VF7UJ8I0PTR4-I7sdf
The WHO had declared Mpox a public health emergency of international concern due to the emergence of the Clade 1 strain, which spread in African nations. Noted for spreading primarily through sexual networks, the strain’s detection in countries bordering the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) raised serious concerns. Historically found in the Congo Basin, Clade 1 is associated with more severe complications like encephalitis, pneumonia, and respiratory distress. The DRC is currently seeing a surge in Mpox cases driven by two Clade 1 strains, prompting the WHO to issue its emergency alert.
