Mpox Case Kerala: Second Confirmed Infection Reported in the State
Recent Development
Kerala has confirmed its second case of the Mpox (monkeypox) infection, marking the third reported case in India this year. The latest case involves a 29-year-old man from Ernakulam district, who recently returned from the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Patient Details and Treatment
The patient, who exhibited symptoms of Mpox, was admitted to a private hospital in Kochi. His condition is reported to be stable, and he is undergoing treatment. Samples from the patient were tested at the National Institute of Virology lab in Alappuzha, confirming the infection.
Strain Analysis
The strain of the Mpox virus in this latest case is yet to be determined. However, samples have been sent for genomic sequencing at the National Institute of Virology in Pune to identify whether it is the more severe Clade 1b or the previously known Clade IIb strain.
Previous Cases in Kerala and India
The first case of Mpox in Kerala was reported on September 18 in Malappuram district. The patient, a 38-year-old man who had also returned from the UAE, was found to have contracted the highly transmissible Clade 1b strain. This was the first instance of Clade 1b reported in India.
Prior to these cases, India had recorded over 30 cases of Mpox linked to the older Clade II strain, which is considered less infectious. Another case was reported earlier this month in Haryana, involving a 26-year-old man who contracted the older strain.
Public Health Response
In response to these cases, the Kerala Health Department has strengthened disease surveillance at airports and arranged isolation facilities in all districts. Testing facilities have been set up in five state labs, and both government and private hospitals have been alerted to report any cases with symptoms suggestive of Mpox.
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 includes protocols for clinical management, infection prevention practices, and a risk communication strategy.
Transmission and Symptoms
Mpox is a viral illness caused by a species of the genus Orthopoxvirus. It can spread through very close contact or interaction with patients, including skin-to-skin contact, sexual contact, and sharing of contaminated objects such as bed linen, clothes, and personal items.
The initial symptoms of Mpox include fever, intense headache, back pain, muscle pain, and fatigue. Characteristic symptoms such as pus-filled vesicles and red rashes appear about one week after the fever, particularly on the face, palms, feet, mouth, and genitals.
Global Context
The World Health Organization (WHO) declared Mpox a public health emergency of international concern in mid-August, following a significant outbreak in Africa and its spread to other countries like Sweden, Thailand, and Pakistan.
As Kerala and India continue to monitor and manage these cases, the emphasis remains on proactive preventive measures and robust public health responses to curb the spread of the virus.