Authorities in India have confirmed the first case of a deadlier strain of mpox in the southern state of Kerala. Monkeypox is caused by the virulent clade Ib strain of the virus and was detected last week in a 38-year-old man who had recently traveled to Dubai, reports CNN.
In response, the state of Kerala has increased its surveillance systems and is preparing to release updated prevention guidelines. Authorities say that Isolation facilities have been established across the state. The Kerala health department is reportedly monitoring more than 70 individuals who were in close contact with the infected person; none have shown symptoms thus far.
The World Health Organisation, or WHO, had declared the outbreak of mpox a global health emergency last month after it had spread to four previously unaffected African countries. The strain has since been detected in several countries outside Africa, including Sweden and Thailand.
Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, is a viral disease which can spread easily between people and from infected animals through close contact. Symptoms of this infection include a fever, rash, lesions, headache, muscle and back pain, low energy and enlarged lymph nodes.
