Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Sep 24, 2024 1 month, 3 weeks, 6 days, 10 hours, 22 minutes ago
Medical News: In a major health development, India has reported its first case of Mpox from the rapidly spreading Clade 1b variant. The case involves a 38-year-old man from the southern state of Kerala who recently traveled from the United Arab Emirates.
https://aninews.in/news/national/general-news/india-reports-first-mpox-clade-1b-case-in-kerala-sources20240923175449/
Kerala, India reports first case of fast-spreading Mpox variant clade 1b
This is the first recorded case of the Clade 1b variant in South Asia, raising new concerns about the spread of this virulent strain across the region.
The patient, currently under care at the Government Medical College Hospital in Malappuram district, was confirmed to be infected with the Clade 1b variety, according to the Indian Health Ministry. The man had developed symptoms soon after arriving in Kerala and was admitted to the hospital for treatment. His condition remains stable.
This
Medical News report will explore the implications of this discovery and what it means for India’s ongoing battle against the Mpox virus.
Rapid Response to Contain the Virus
As soon as the case was confirmed, health authorities in Kerala and across India jumped into action. The Kerala health department has been closely monitoring 29 family members and friends of the patient, as well as 37 passengers who were on the same flight. Fortunately, none of these individuals have shown signs of Mpox infection so far, according to Malappuram district’s nodal officer, Dr. Shubin C.
Despite this being the first Clade 1b case in India, the nation had previously reported over 30 cases of Mpox from Clade 2, including one fatality between 2022 and early 2023. However, authorities are treating this new Clade 1b case with extra caution. The Ministry of Health recently issued an advisory to all states to remain vigilant and prepared for any future outbreaks.
Understanding the Mpox Virus and Its Variants
Mpox, previously known as monkeypox, is a viral illness caused by the monkeypox virus, which belongs to the Orthopoxvirus genus. Two main strains of the virus are currently circulating: Clade 1, which includes subclades Ia and Ib, and Clade 2, which includes subclades IIa and IIb.
https://gisaid.org/mpox-variants-dashboard/
The Clade 1b variant has recently become a source of concern due to its faster spread.
Unlike many viruses, Mpox primarily spreads through close physical contact, including sexual transmission. There is no strong evidence to suggest it spreads easily through the air, as was the case with COVID-19. Mpox usually presents with flu-like symptoms, followed by a rash and pus-filled lesions. Although the disease is generally mild, it can become
severe, particularly in individuals with weakened immune systems.
In this case, health officials emphasize that Mpox infections tend to be self-limiting, with most patients recovering within two to four weeks under supportive care.
Kerala Health Minister Calls for Public Vigilance
The Kerala state health minister has urged the public to stay vigilant. In a statement, she advised anyone returning from abroad to report any symptoms immediately to local health authorities and seek treatment without delay. The state has already set up treatment and isolation facilities across several hospitals, including all medical colleges.
Mpox was recently declared a global health emergency due to the rapid spread of the Clade 1b variant, first identified in the Democratic Republic of Congo. While India’s previous Mpox cases involved the Clade 2 strain, the emergence of Clade 1b has raised new challenges for the country’s public health system.
Study Findings and Broader Implications
This new case highlights the growing global concern over the spread of Mpox, particularly in regions like South Asia, where the virus had not been previously dominant. According to global health experts, the Clade 1b variant appears to spread more quickly than the older Clade 2 strain, making early detection and rapid response essential.
India’s Health Ministry has reassured the public that despite the faster transmission rate of Clade 1b, the risk of mass outbreaks remains low. The virus primarily spreads through direct physical contact, which limits its potential for rapid, uncontrolled transmission, as seen in airborne viruses like COVID-19.
International health agencies have recommended maintaining good hygiene practices, reducing physical contact with infected individuals, and seeking medical care at the first sign of symptoms. In countries with limited access to healthcare, timely intervention will be crucial in preventing severe cases and curbing the spread of the virus.
Conclusion
India’s first case of the Clade 1b variant of Mpox underscores the need for continued vigilance as new strains of the virus emerge. While authorities have acted swiftly to contain the spread, this case serves as a reminder that infectious diseases remain an ever-present threat. The rapid response by Kerala’s health department and the advisories issued by the central government demonstrate a proactive approach to managing the outbreak. However, with the virus evolving, maintaining public awareness and preparedness will be critical to preventing further infections.
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Medical News.
Read Also:
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/genomic-recombination-causing-rapid-evolution-of-mpox-clade-1b-diverging-into-four-lineages-and-14-subgroups
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/africa-cdc-warns-that-current-mpox-lab-diagnostics-and-tests-are-unreliable-due-to-high-false-negatives
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