UAE, New York Confirm First Cases of Mpox New Strain; Know Symptoms of This Highly Contagious Viral Infection

First-ever cases of mpox have been reported in the UAE and New York in the US—of individuals who recently travelled to Uganda in Africa, according to the World Health Organisation. Reports said the patient in the UAE began showing symptoms of mpox in January and was subsequently diagnosed. Fearing the community transmission of others, health authorities have now begun screening as well, according to news reports.

In the United States, the New York State Department of Health has issued a health advisory on the emergence of a new strain of mpox clade 1B confirmed in a symptomatic person. Health officials say even though the present risk to the public remains low and there are no additional known community cases of this strain in New York State currently, there is a need to be vigilant. According to State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald, the infected individual is under the care of a physician and isolated “until the full resolution of symptoms.”

“There is no known local transmission of pox clade 1B in the community where the individual lives or anywhere within New York State,” he said in a statement.

McDonald said the JYNNEOS vaccine—a two-dose preventative vaccine series for the highly contagious viral infectiis “expected to be effective” against this new strain. “[It is] available for individuals at risk with the standing order I signed last year,” he noted. “There is no immediate risk to the general public.”

However, the health department has said in its advisory that people should first enquire with their local pharmacy or doctor healthcare provider about the vaccine availability as they continue to “monitor and maintain the situation.”

Formerly known as monkeypox, this viral condition usually causes rash and flu-like symptoms, similar to the ones caused by a related virus, smallpox. Mpox has been regularly endemic in parts of Africa. But outbreaks sometimes happen in other places around the world. An outbreak is an increase in cases or a larger-than-expected number of cases.

Mpox has two sub-types:

Clade I is endemic to Central Africa and tends to cause more serious illness than clade II. Its recent outbreaks have been less deadly.

Clade II is endemic to East Africa. There’s been a global outbreak of clade II mpox since 2022. It’s less likely to be fatal than clade I.

A few signs and symptoms of mpox include:

• Rashes, skin ulcers, and blisters
• High fever
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Chills
• Headaches
• Muscle aches
• Fatigue and extreme tiredness

What does the mpox rash look like?

The rash caused by mpox appears as sores on your mouth, face, hands, feet, penis, vagina, or anus. Many people have a widespread rash, but others only have a few bumps or blisters. Mpox rash can go through several stages over two to four weeks:

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