INDIA, Sept 25 (Alliance News) – India has reported its first case of the deadlier Clade Ib strain of mpox, raising concerns among global health officials over the virus’s rapid spread.
The case was detected in a 38-year-old man from Kerala who had recently traveled to Dubai, according to state health authorities.
Kerala’s Health Minister Veena George praised the state’s “robust health care system” for quickly identifying the case.
The man is currently in isolation and recovering, with his symptoms improving. Health officials are monitoring 29 people who were in contact with him, including passengers from his flight.
This strain of mpox, previously limited to the Democratic Republic of Congo, has spread to several countries, prompting the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare it a global health emergency.
Clade Ib is known for causing more severe disease compared to Clade II, which led to a global outbreak last year.
Kerala has set up isolation facilities and mpox testing centers and is ramping up airport surveillance to prevent further spread.
