India has reported its first case of Monkeypox (Mpox) linked to the rapidly spreading Clade 1B strain. This development comes just a month after the WHO designated Mpox as a disease of international concern.
The Clade 1B strain is recognized for being more transmissible and having a higher fatality rate than Clade II.
The earlier case of Mpox reported in India involved a 26-year-old resident of Haryana who tested positive for the West African Clade II strain in early September.
The Kerala health department has announced plans to issue updated guidelines for the prevention and treatment of Mpox. The patient is currently stable, and there is no evidence of any widespread risk to the public at this time.
India has reported Mpox cases in the past as well. Between 2022 and 2024, over 30 cases have been identified nationwide, primarily among individuals with a travel history to African countries where the disease is more common, according to a report by The Times of India.
What is Mpox?
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Mpox is an illness caused by the monkeypox virus. It is a viral infection that can spread between people primarily through close contact and, on occasion, from contaminated environments via objects and surfaces touched by someone with Mpox.
Who is at Risk?
Individuals who have close contact with someone infected with Mpox are at risk of infection. Close contact includes skin-to-skin, mouth-to-mouth, mouth-to-skin, and face-to-face interactions.
What are the Symptoms of Mpox?
Common symptoms of Mpox include a rash that may last for 2–4 weeks. This rash may appear with, or follow, symptoms such as fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, low energy, and swollen lymph nodes. The rash resembles blisters or sores and can affect the face, palms, soles of the feet, groin, genital area, and/or anal regions, according to the WHO.
Unlike Covid-19, Mpox is Not Airborne
1. Mpox primarily spreads through unprotected close physical contact with an infected individual.
2. Sexual contact is a significant mode of transmission.
3. The virus can also spread through contact with contaminated items, such as bedding or clothing that has been tainted with infected fluids.
4. Fluids from blisters and scabs can contaminate materials like bedding, clothing, or surfaces.
5. Caregivers can become infected if they do not use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) while caring for a patient.
-6. Maintaining hygiene and cleanliness is crucial to preventing transmission through contaminated surfaces or items.
