First case with the new mpox strain that has triggered a public health emergency alert by the World Health Organization (WHO) has been reported from India.
Called clade 1b, the new variant is highly-transmissible and has been linked to the mpox outbreak in Africa.
As per media reports, the strain has been detected in a 38-year-old man from the southern state of Kerala who returned from Dubai recently.
The Kerala health department announced plans to release revised guidelines for the prevention and treatment of Mpox, a decision that came in the wake of the southern state reporting the country's first confirmed case of the new strain on Monday.
The State Level Rapid Response Team (RRT) held a meeting to assess the overall situation in the state.
After the meeting, state Health Minister Veena George said instructions have been given to take necessary action if the number of cases increases.
The WHO declared mpox, which used to be called monkeypox, a public health emergency in Africa in August.
India’s first mpox patient was isolated in a ward at Delhi’s Lok Nayak Hospital earlier this month. The strain, however, was the one that was prevalent in the previous outbreak seen in India in 2022.
In the last two years, India has reported more than 30 mpox cases caused by the older clade 2 strain, which is considered to be less infectious.
What is mpox Clade Ib strain?
Mpox is a viral infection caused by the monkeypox virus, a species of the genus Orthopoxvirus. There are two variants of mpox that are distinct in nature that influence the severity of the disease and its impact on affected populations.
These strains are: clade 1b (The Central African (Congo Basin) strain) and clade 2 ( West African strain).
This strain causes symptoms like skin rash that is followed by pus-filled blisters, high fever, headaches, muscle aches, back pain, low energy, swollen lymph nodes and sore throat.
The blisters can appear on the palms of the hand and soles of the feet, face, mouth, throat, groin and genital areas, and anus.
Clade I mpox has previously only been reported in five countries in Central Africa but there is now increasing transmission of Clade I mpox in several countries in east and central Africa.
Anyone can catch either clade of mpox, as it spreads from person-to-person, through close contact (including intimate or sexual contact) with someone who has the mpox virus, through contact with contaminated materials, such as bed sheets or towels, and contact with infected animals.
It is possible that clade I mpox may spread between people through close and prolonged face-to-face contact such as talking, breathing, coughing, or sneezing close to one another.
New-born babies, children, people who are pregnant and people with underlying immune deficiencies may be at higher risk of more serious mpox disease and death.
Why is Clade 1b more deadly?
The clade 1b strain is known for its higher virulence, leading to more severe symptoms and complications. Patients infected with the Central African strain are at greater risk of experiencing serious health issues, including a higher mortality rate of up to 10 per cent.
According to a report, "Clade Ib seems to be different, and is spreading largely through contact between humans, including through sex. Around 18,000 suspected cases of mpox, many of them among children, and at least 600 deaths potentially attributable to the disease have been reported this year in the DRC alone."
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