India has reported its first case of a new, highly-transmissible mpox strain, prompting a public health emergency alert by the World Health Organization (WHO), according to Reuters. The new variant, named clade 1b, has been linked to outbreaks in Africa. A 38-year-old man from Kerala, who recently returned from Dubai, was identified as the country's first case of this strain.

Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, is a contagious virus characterized by painful skin lesions. The WHO declared mpox a public health emergency in Africa in August, as the more virulent clade 1 strain began spreading to other regions, including Sweden, Thailand, and Pakistan.

On Tuesday, a spokesperson for India’s Health Ministry, Manisha Verma, confirmed that the case in Kerala's Malappuram district involved clade 1. The patient is currently receiving hospital treatment, and authorities are tracking and monitoring those he came into contact with. Approximately 29 of his friends and family members, as well as 37 passengers from his flight, are being closely observed, although none have shown symptoms so far.

In the past two years, India has reported over 30 mpox cases, all from the less contagious clade 2 strain. This month, another case of the clade 1 strain was identified in a patient from Haryana state, who required a brief hospital stay.

Mpox is transmitted from animals to humans and between people through close contact, including sexual contact, skin-to-skin contact, and even through breathing in close proximity. Symptoms include fever, muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes, and widespread lesions. If left untreated, the virus can be fatal.

India’s federal government has issued a nationwide advisory urging states to remain vigilant for potential mpox cases. Additionally, 35 laboratories have been designated across the country to test suspected cases.