Thu Jan 23 14:01:57 UTC 2025: ## Bengaluru Man Tests Positive for Mpox, Raising Concerns
**Bengaluru, India** – A 40-year-old man with recent travel history to Dubai has tested positive for Mpox in Bengaluru, India. The individual is currently receiving treatment at Victoria Hospital, according to local media reports. Further investigations are underway to determine the specifics of the case.
This development comes amidst a global concern regarding the resurgence of Mpox, particularly the more dangerous Clade 1b variant. In 2024, a significant outbreak across approximately 15 African countries prompted the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. Clade 1b, first identified in the Democratic Republic of Congo in September 2023, has also been reported in other countries, including Sweden, Thailand, and most recently, England. This strain poses a higher risk, especially to children.
While India previously reported a small number of Mpox cases in 2024, those were attributed to the less deadly Clade IIb variant responsible for the 2022 outbreak. The current case marks a significant development given the severity of the Clade 1b strain.
Mpox symptoms include fever, blisters, swollen lymph nodes, and potentially rectal bleeding. Early detection is crucial for effective treatment. The WHO has prequalified a vaccine developed by Bavarian Nordic, MVA-BN, for use against Mpox, smallpox, and related orthopoxvirus infections. The two-dose vaccine is administered four weeks apart.
The WHO describes Mpox as a viral illness transmitted through close physical contact with an infected individual, contaminated materials, or infected animals. While many cases resolve on their own, some can prove fatal. Health officials are urging vigilance and emphasizing the importance of hygiene and early medical attention for anyone experiencing symptoms.
First Piper 