Health officials have confirmed a second Mpox case in Kerala, positive for the more concerning Clade 1b strain. This marks the first reported instance of this strain in India. The World Health Organization has declared this strain, which had never before been seen in India, a public health emergency last year.
The 38-year-old man who tested positive, hails from Kerala's Malappuram district and had returned recently from the United Arab Emirates. The patient is currently stable, according to health officials.
There has been growing concern about Mpox Clade 1b - which is a more serious strain than previous versions because it can be transmitted by sexual intercourse and has higher fatality rate. Thus, in August 2023 the WHO classified Mpox as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).
India has now reported a total of 32 Mpox cases and one fatality since the initial outbreak in 2022. In response, the Union Health Ministry has urged states and union territories to enhance surveillance, strengthen public health preparedness, and ensure comprehensive screening and testing for suspected Mpox cases.
