A 38-year-old man from Kerala’s Malappuram has been identified as the first person in India infected with the Clade 1b strain of the mpox virus, an IE report quoted official government sources. The strain is currently driving the global outbreak. The man, who recently returned from Dubai, is undergoing treatment at Manjeri Medical College Hospital after testing positive on September 18.
Health officials have remained tight-lipped about the test result, with a formal statement from Health Minister Veena George expected on Tuesday. The Clade 1b strain is known to be more infectious than Clade 2, raising concerns about the spread of the virus in Kerala.
Minister George convened a meeting with the state’s Rapid Response Team (RRT) to assess the situation. “Updated guidelines will be issued for the prevention and treatment of mpox in the state. Isolation facilities are ready in all districts, and surveillance has been ramped up, especially at airports,” said the minister in a statement.
The patient initially sought medical attention for high fever and visible blisters, which led to the testing and diagnosis. His samples were sent to the National Institute of Virology in Pune for genomic sequencing, confirming the presence of the Clade 1b strain.
To curb the spread, those in close contact with the patient have been placed in isolation, and further testing centers may be established. The minister urged travelers with symptoms to report to the Health Department promptly.
Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, is a viral illness that can cause fever, rashes, and blisters. Kerala’s health authorities are on high alert, taking proactive measures to prevent a wider outbreak.
(With inputs from agencies)
