First Mpox case in Kerala

First Mpox case in Kerala

Context:

Recently, the Kerala Health Department confirmed the State’s first Mpox case of a 38-year-old man who came from Dubai who tested positive for the disease.

Relevance:
GS-02 (Health)

What is Mpox?

• Mpox- is a rare zoonotic disease that transmits from animals to humans.
• It is famously known as monkeypox.
• The disease belongs to the Orthopoxvirus genus in the Poxviridae family. This family of viruses also includes the viruses responsible for smallpox and cowpox.
• Although it is believed that the virus transmits from small mammals like squirrels and monkeys, the actual source of the virus is still unknown.

Transmission and Symptoms:

• The mpox virus is primarily transmitted to humans through physical contact with an infected individual or animal.
• This can occur through direct contact with infected blood, bodily fluids, or lesions on the skin or mucous membranes.
• The virus can also spread through contact with contaminated materials, such as bedding or clothing, or through bites or scratches from infected animals.
• Symptoms: The infected person will initially show signs of infection that can start anywhere from 1 to 21 days after the exposure to the virus. The disease can be seen as a rash that can develop into painful, itchy, fluid-filled blisters later.
  • Other common symptoms include fever, sore throat, headache, muscle aches, back pain, low energy, and swollen lymph nodes.
  • The symptoms usually last 2-4 weeks.
  • For most individuals the symptoms are mild.  For certain groups like children, pregnant women, and immunocompromised individuals, it can be malignant and will be of higher risk of severe illness.

About the MVA-BN vaccine:

• MVA-BN or Modified Vaccinia Ankara-Bavarian Nordic is the only non-replicating mpox vaccine.
• It has been approved in U.S., Switzerland, Singapore, Canada, United Kingdom and the EU/EAA.
• Originally it was developed as a smallpox vaccine in collaboration with the U.S. government to ensure the supply of a smallpox vaccine for the entire population.
• MVA-BN has been indicated for use in the general adult population in individuals considered at risk for smallpox or mpox infection.
• Bavarian Nordic has been a long-term supplier of the vaccine to national stockpiles, and during the 2022-2023 mpox outbreak. The Company supported governments and supranational organizations by expanding access to the vaccine to more than 70 countries worldwide.