Health Ministry Spokesperson confirmed on Monday mpox case involving a man in the southern state of Kerala was from the fast-spreading clade 1b variety, marking South Asia’s first recorded case from the new strain.
The patient is a 38-year-old man who had travelled from the United Arab Emirates and had been admitted to the government medical college hospital in the district, Kerala authorities said last week.
About 29 friends and family members of the patient along with 37 passengers on his flight are being monitored at home but none of them have shown any mpox symptoms so far, Malappuram district’s nodal officer, Dr. Shubin C, told media on Monday.
The office of the Kerala state health minister did not immediately respond to requests for details of the case. Earlier last week on Wednesday, the 38-year-old man was tested for Mpox. He is currently undergoing treatment for the disease after returning from Dubai.
As of 2024, the global landscape of Mpox (monkeypox) continues to evolve. While specific figures for the year are still emerging, there has been a significant increase in cases compared to previous years. This surge is particularly concerning in certain regions, where the virus has spread rapidly within communities.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has been closely monitoring the situation and has issued public health alerts to raise awareness about the disease and its transmission. Efforts to contain the outbreak have included vaccination campaigns, contact tracing, and public education initiatives. However, challenges persist due to factors such as limited access to healthcare, vaccine shortages, and the ongoing global pandemic.
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