Mpox Kerala: On Monday, 23rd September, a man from Kerala reported the first case of Mpox clade 1b strain. This 38-year-old man belonged to the Malappuram district of Kerala. Recently, he had returned from the United Arab Emirates. Malappuram district's nodal officer, Dr. Shubin C said that the patient’s 29 friends and family members as well as 37 passengers on his flight, are being monitored in their homes, but none of them have shown the symptoms of Mpox clade 1b. On 14th August, the World Health Organization declared the strain of Mpox clade 1b as a public health emergency.
What is Mpox clade 1b?
Mpox clade 1b is a type of monkeypox. It is an infectious disease that causes painful rashes, enlarged lymph nodes, fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, and low energy. It gets transmitted through close contact with someone who is diagnosed with Mpox, with contaminated materials, or with infected animals. During pregnancy, the virus can also pass to the fetus or newborn during or after the birth.
According to the officials, the symptoms of Mpox clade 1b include fever, body aches, swollen lymph nodes, and a characteristic rash that often starts on the face and then spreads to the other parts of the body.
Senior Registrar- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Dr. Muzamil Sultan was quoted saying, “Similar to other cultures, Indians typically lack innate immunity to the Mpox virus unless they have had prior exposure to it or a closely related virus, such as the smallpox virus. The smallpox immunization offers some cross-protection against Mpox, although it was stopped once smallpox was eradicated. However, younger generations are probably more susceptible because the smallpox immunization was discontinued decades ago.”
Precautions to prevent Mpox clade 1b:
Dr Sultan further informed about the ways to prevent Mpox clade 1b virus. He advised, “The Mpox virus can be stopped from spreading by using masks and hand sanitizers, especially when it comes to when it comes to avoiding contact with contaminated surfaces or respiratory droplets. Close contact, respiratory droplet,s and contact with contaminated items or surfaces are the three main ways that Mpox can spread. Reduce the risk of transmission by wearing masks, especially in close-contact situations, and practicing frequent hand washing with soap and water or hand sanitizers. Infected patients should be isolated, and high-risk groups should be vaccinated.”