Kerala Reports Second Mpox Case, Total of Three Cases Detected in India
Second Case Confirmed in Ernakulam
Kerala has confirmed its second case of the Mpox (monkeypox) virus, marking the third reported case in India. The latest case involves a 29-year-old man from Ernakulam, who recently returned from the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
According to the Kerala Health Department, the man is currently undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Kochi and is reported to be in a stable condition. His samples have been sent for genomic sequencing at the National Institute of Virology in Pune to determine the specific strain of the virus.
First Case in Kerala and National Context
The first case of Mpox in Kerala was reported on September 18, involving a 38-year-old man from Malappuram who had also returned from the UAE. This case was identified as the Clade 1b strain, which is considered more severe and highly transmissible.
The first Mpox case in India this year was reported in Haryana, involving a 26-year-old man from Hisar who contracted the older Clade IIb strain.
Public Health Measures
In response to these cases, the Union Health Ministry has issued an advisory to all states and union territories, emphasizing the need for strict infection prevention and control measures. The advisory mandates the isolation of suspected Mpox cases and highlights the importance of clinical management, infection prevention practices, and a robust risk communication strategy.
Kerala Health Minister Veena George has assured that isolation facilities have been arranged in all districts and disease surveillance has been strengthened at airports. The state has also arranged testing facilities in five state labs to manage the situation effectively.
Symptoms and Transmission
Mpox infections are characterized by symptoms such as fever, rash, skin outbreaks, muscle aches, and swollen lymph nodes. The virus spreads through close contact, including skin-to-skin contact, sexual contact, and through contaminated objects like clothing or linen.
Global Context
The World Health Organization (WHO) declared Mpox a public health emergency of international concern in mid-August, following a global outbreak that began in 2022. The WHO has noted that the virus is an enveloped double-stranded DNA virus of the Orthopoxvirus genus, with two distinct clades: Clade 1 (including subclades 1a and 1b) and Clade 2 (comprising subclades IIa and IIb).
Call to Action
The Kerala Health Department has urged individuals who have recently returned from abroad and are experiencing symptoms to seek medical attention immediately. The department has also instructed hospitals, both public and private, to be vigilant and report any cases with symptoms suggestive of Mpox.
As the situation continues to be monitored closely, the public is advised to follow the guidelines issued by the Health Ministry to prevent the spread of Mpox, including maintaining hygiene, avoiding close contact with infected individuals, and reporting any suspicious symptoms promptly.