In Kozhikode, amidst heightened monitoring in Malappuram district following a Nipah infection death, a resident of Othayi in Edavanna panchayat has been admitted to Manjeri Govt Medical College Hospital with suspected symptoms of Mpox, a viral illness linked to the monkeypox virus. The 38-year-old man, who recently returned from Dubai, sought medical care at the dermatology OP department of the medical college for fever and skin rashes on Monday. Doctors, upon observing his symptoms and travel history, kept him under observation in the hospital. Test samples have been sent to the virology lab at Kozhikode Govt Medical College Hospital, with PCR test results expected by Wednesday evening. Health Minister Veena George mentioned that the individual isolated himself from family members upon suspecting Mpox symptoms after returning from Dubai. Meanwhile, Malappuram District Medical Officer Dr. R Renuka advised close family members of the man to remain vigilant, as he exhibited symptoms upon arrival in the state. The World Health Organization declared Mpox a Public Health Emergency of International Concern due to the emergence of a new strain known as Clade 1, primarily affecting the Democratic Republic of Congo and several African countries. While no confirmed cases of this new strain have been reported in India, a case of Mpox linked to the West African Clade 2 was reported in Haryana on Sept 9, similar to previous cases since July 2002.Part of the ongoing global health crisis announced by the WHO involves Clade 1 of monkeypox, which is caused by the monkeypox virus (MPXV). MPXV is a type of enveloped double-stranded DNA virus belonging to the Orthopoxvirus genus in the Poxviridae family. The virus has two distinct clades: Clade 1 (including subclades 1a and 1b) and Clade 2 (including subclades 2a and 2b). Monkeypox can be spread through close contact with infected individuals, contaminated objects, or infected animals. Common symptoms of monkeypox include rashes, fever, sore throat, headache, muscle aches, and swollen lymph nodes.
