India has confirmed its first case of the new mpox strain, prompting a public health emergency alert from the World Health Organization (WHO). This highly transmissible variant, identified as clade 1b, is associated with ongoing mpox outbreaks in Africa.
The new case involves a 38-year-old man from Kerala, who recently returned from Dubai. Mpox, previously recognized as monkeypox, is a contagious virus known to cause painful skin lesions.
The WHO classified mpox as a public health emergency in Africa last August, and since then, the more virulent variant has spread to several countries outside the continent, including Sweden, Thailand, and Pakistan. On Tuesday, a spokesperson for the Health Ministry confirmed that the case reported in Malappuram district belongs to the clade 1 strain.
Authorities are currently treating the patient in a hospital and are tracing and monitoring individuals who may have come into contact with him. Approximately 29 friends and family members, as well as 37 fellow passengers from his flight, are under surveillance, though none have shown symptoms to date.
In the past two years, India reported over 30 cases of mpox linked to the less infectious clade 2 strain. Earlier this month, another mpox case was identified in a man from northern Haryana state, who was hospitalized for several days.
Mpox is transmitted from animals to humans and can spread between people through close contact, including sexual activities, skin-to-skin interactions, and close breathing. Symptoms may include fever, muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes, and lesions. If left untreated, mpox can lead to severe health complications.
In response to this emerging threat, the federal government has issued an advisory urging states to remain vigilant for potential mpox cases. Additionally, around 35 laboratories throughout the country have been designated for testing suspected cases.
