India's first case of Mpox clade I was detected in a 38-year-old man from Malappuram, Kerala, who had recently returned from the United Arab Emirates. Caused by the monkeypox virus, the World Health Organisation (WHO) lists two clades of monkeypox virus: clade I with sub-clades Ia and Ib, and clade II with subclades IIa and IIb (a global outbreak of this clade started in 2022 and continues in some African countries). According to WHO figures, as of August 2024, clade Ib has also been detected beyond Africa.
Common symptoms of mpox, which spreads through close contact, include:
- Rash
- Fever
- Sore throat
- Headache
- Swollen lymph nodes.
Mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) is a viral disease that can cause fever, rash, and flu-like symptoms, explains Dr Tushar Tayal, Consultant, Internal Medicine, C K Birla hospital Gurugram. “Human-to-human transmission can occur through direct contact with skin lesions, body fluids, or respiratory droplets of an infected person or touching contaminated objects. The virus can enter the body through broken skin, the respiratory tract, or mucous membranes, including the eyes, nose, and mouth,” says Dr Tayal.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the symptoms of mpox usually appear within 1 to 21 days and last 2 to 4 weeks, especially longer in those with weakened immune systems. The rash typically starts on the face and spreads to other body parts as blisters. Severity varies, with complications including painful swelling in the rectal area and discomfort during urination or swallowing.
“Common symptoms of mpox include fever, headache, muscle aches, and a characteristic rash that may appear on the face, hands, feet, and other parts of the body. The rash eventually develops into pustules and scabs before healing. Lymph nodes may also swell in response to the infection. In rare cases, mpox can be fatal,” says Dr Tayal.
Though it can affect anyone, certain groups are at higher risk of severe illness or complications.
“It’s essential for these groups to remain vigilant and take appropriate precautions to reduce their risk of exposure,” warns Dr Tayal:
- People with weakened immune systems: Individuals with conditions like HIV, cancer, or those on immunosuppressive therapies.
- Men who have sex with men (MSM): Mpox outbreaks have shown higher transmission rates among MSM, likely due to close-contact behaviours.
- Healthcare workers: Due to frequent exposure to patients with mpox, healthcare workers are at risk if they do not use appropriate protective measures.
- People living in or traveling to endemic regions: Mpox is more common in certain areas of Africa, and those living in or traveling to these regions are at higher risk of exposure.
- Pregnant women: When infected with mpox pregnant women may face higher risks of complications such as miscarriage or premature birth.
- Children: Children, particularly those under the age of 8, are more vulnerable to severe illness from mpox.
To protect people at the highest risk of mpox, several measures should be implemented.
- First, ensure that high-risk groups receive mpox vaccinations to reduce the severity of symptoms.
- Avoid close contact with anyone showing signs of mpox, especially those with rashes or sores.
- Practicing good hygiene, such as washing hands regularly with soap and water and avoiding touching the face, can help prevent transmission.
- Wearing triple-layer or N95 masks provides protection against inhaling infected respiratory droplets.
- Safe sex practices, including using condoms and openly discussing health status, can reduce the risk of transmission among sexually active individuals.
- Finally, infected people should isolate until fully recovered to prevent spreading the virus to others.
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