A 38-year-old man in Kerala has been confirmed as the first case of Mpox clade 1 variant in India. This is a more virulent and deadlier strain of the virus, first reported in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The World Health Organization has declared Mpox a public health emergency for the second time, with 30 cases reported in India since the declaration. Experts warn about the potential for a disastrous epidemic in densely populated India and emphasize the importance of prevention measures, such as regularly washing hands and avoiding contact with infected individuals.
After weeks of monitoring, the Health Ministry has confirmed that the mpox case reported in Kerala last week is from the fast-spreading clade 1b variety, marking South Asia's first recorded case from the new strain. The 38-year-old patient had recently travelled from the United Arab Emirates and is currently being treated in a government hospital. Despite concerns, authorities have reassured that no mpox symptoms have been observed in 29 close contacts and 37 passengers on the patient's flight. The origins and potential impact of this new strain of the virus, which was first identified in the Democratic Republic of Congo, continue to be closely monitored by organizations like the WHO.