Kerala govt to issue revised guidelines to prevent spread of MPox in state – Life News

A 38-year-old man from Malappuram in Kerala has been identified as the first person in India to be infected with the Clade 1b strain of the MPox virus, an IE report said, citing official government sources. The strain is now causing a global outbreak. The man, who recently returned from Dubai, is undergoing treatment at Manjeri Medical College Hospital after testing positive on September 18.

Health officials have not said a word about the test results, and an official statement from Health Minister Veena George is expected on Tuesday. The Clade 1b strain is known to be more contagious than Clade 2, raising concerns about the virus spreading in Kerala.

Minister George has called a meeting with the state’s Rapid Response Team (RRT) to assess the situation. “Updated guidelines will be issued for prevention and treatment of MPox in the state. Isolation facilities are ready in all districts and surveillance has been strengthened, especially at airports,” the minister said in a statement.

The patient initially sought medical attention for high fever and visible blisters, which led to tests and diagnosis. His samples were sent to the National Institute of Virology in Pune for genome sequencing, which confirmed the presence of the Clade 1b strain.

To contain the spread, close contacts of the patient have been placed in isolation and more testing centres may be set up. The minister urged travellers with symptoms to report to the Department of Health immediately.

Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, is a viral disease that can cause fever, rashes and blisters. Kerala health authorities are on high alert, taking precautionary measures to prevent a wider outbreak.

(With agency guidance)