India Reports First Case Of Mpox Clade 1b Strain

Malappuram: India has confirmed its first case of the Mpox strain, which was declared a public health emergency by the WHO last month. A 38-year-old man from Kerala’s Malappuram, who recently returned from the UAE, tested positive for the Clade 1b strain. Officials reported that the patient is stable.

This case marks the first instance of the current strain linked to the WHO’s declaration. Earlier this month, a 26-year-old resident from Hisar, Haryana, tested positive for the West African Clade 2 strain.

Since the WHO designated Mpox as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern in 2022, India has recorded 30 cases. Kerala’s Health Minister Veena George urged anyone showing symptoms, especially returnees from abroad, to contact health authorities immediately. She shared a list of state-run hospitals equipped for treatment and isolation, noting that facilities are also available at all medical colleges in the state.

The health department has increased surveillance at Kerala’s airports, following central guidelines due to rising cases in several African countries. Travelers from affected regions have been advised to report any symptoms upon arrival. Following the outbreak’s onset in 2022, Kerala implemented a Standard Operating Procedure (SoP) to manage such health emergencies.