Tue Sep 24 08:50:49 UTC 2024: ## First Case of Highly Contagious Mpox Strain Detected in South Asia
**Malappuram, Kerala, India:** A 38-year-old man from Malappuram district has become the first case of the fast-spreading clade 1b variant of the mpox virus in South Asia. The man, who is currently in stable condition and under observation, recently returned to India after travelling to the United Arab Emirates. This is the same strain that prompted the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare mpox a public health emergency last month.
The WHO has identified two distinct strains of the mpox virus: clade 1 (with subclades 1a and 1b) and clade 2 (with subclades 2a and 2b). The current global outbreak, which began in 2022, is primarily attributed to the clade IIb strain, which emerged in the Democratic Republic of Congo last year.
The 38-year-old man’s diagnosis follows a case of the clade 2 strain reported earlier this month in a 26-year-old resident of Haryana’s Hisar. Mpox, previously known as monkeypox, is a viral illness that can cause a range of symptoms, including fever, muscle aches, sore throat, and a rash. The virus typically manifests within a week of exposure but can take up to 21 days. Symptoms usually last two to four weeks but may persist longer in individuals with weakened immune systems.
The WHO recommends two vaccines currently in use for mpox, which are also approved by WHO-listed national regulatory authorities. While most people experience mild symptoms, newborns, children, pregnant women, and individuals with weakened immune systems may be at higher risk of severe complications.
The emergence of the clade 1b strain in South Asia raises concerns about the potential for further spread. Health authorities are urging vigilance and recommending that individuals who develop mpox symptoms seek immediate medical attention.
First Piper 