France detects first case of clade 1b Mpox case; know the key symptoms

Clade 1b strain of Mpox is expanding its reach across the globe as France has become the eleventh country outside of Africa to detect the virus in the current outbreak. The health ministry of the country has confirmed the first case of the

severe strain of mpox

that was found in a person from Brittany with no travel history; however he was in contact with two people who had returned from Central Africa.
The investigation to determine how the patient got the virus is being done apart from locating others who may be at risk, said the France health officials in a statement.
However, the risk to the general public in France and Europe remains low. Health officials have said some cases linked to outbreak countries may occur.
France is the eleventh country outside of Africa which found a case of clade 1 mpox, different from the less severe and more common clade 2 virus. Cases of the strain have been found in India, Pakistan, and Oman too but they were related to travel to the United Arab Emirates. Very limited secondary transmission has been reported in household index cases in the UK in October, and Germany in December.

There are two known clades of mpox virus: clade I, previously called the Congo Basin clade; and clade II, previously called the West Africa clade; clade II further has two subclades: clade IIa and clade IIb.

Clade 1b mpox

was first detected in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in central Africa, where it started spreading in September 2023.
Since then it has spread to numerous other countries. Clade I strains can lead to more severe illness and deaths, with mortality rates of around 3%. But health experts in the DRC say the mortality rate from strain clade 1b can be as high as 10% among children.

Symptoms of clade 1b

The symptoms include fever, often one of the initial signs, which can be high and persistent, and chills, which can cause discomfort and shivering.
Headaches, which can range from mild to severe, are common, as are generalized muscle aches and discomfort.
Back pain, aches, and stiffness in the back can also be prevalent, along with fatigue, a feeling of extreme tiredness and lack of energy.
Lymphadenopathy, or swelling of the lymph nodes, which can be painful, is another symptom. A characteristic skin rash starts as flat spots and develops into pustules and scabs.
Painful, fluid-filled lesions can appear on various parts of the body, including the face, arms, and legs.
Lastly, some individuals may experience sore throat or discomfort in the throat.