India Reports First Mpox Clade 1b Case in Kerala’s Malappuram
India has reported its first case of Mpox clade 1b from Malappuram, Kerala. A 38-year-old man who traveled from the United Arab Emirates showed symptoms like fever and a rash similar to chickenpox.
According to official sources, this is the first Mpox clade 1b case in India. The man had a fever and rash, prompting doctors to send a sample for testing. This is the second Mpox case in India, with the first being a clade 2 case reported in Delhi.
Mpox clade 1b spreads rapidly, mainly through sexual networks. The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared it a public health emergency of international concern. Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, has been a public health issue in parts of Africa for many years but became a global concern in 2022.
Since January 1, 2022, Mpox cases have been reported to the WHO from 121 member states across all six WHO regions. As of July 31, 2024, there have been 102,997 laboratory-confirmed cases and 186 probable cases, including 223 deaths. In July 2024 alone, 1,425 cases and six deaths were reported globally, with the majority of cases from the African region.
Doubts Revealed
Mpox -: Mpox is a disease caused by a virus. It used to be called monkeypox. It can make people sick with fever and a rash that looks like chickenpox.
Clade 1b -: Clade 1b is a specific type or group of the Mpox virus. Scientists use ‘clade’ to describe different groups of viruses that are a bit different from each other.
Kerala -: Kerala is a state in the southern part of India. It is known for its beautiful backwaters and rich culture.
Malappuram -: Malappuram is a district in Kerala. It is one of the places where people live and work in Kerala.
UAE -: UAE stands for the United Arab Emirates. It is a country in the Middle East, known for its modern cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Chickenpox-like rash -: A chickenpox-like rash means red spots or blisters on the skin, similar to what happens when someone has chickenpox.
Clade 2 -: Clade 2 is another type or group of the Mpox virus. It is different from clade 1b but still causes the same disease.
WHO -: WHO stands for the World Health Organization. It is a group that helps countries around the world keep people healthy and fight diseases.