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NewsDecode | Health | Mains Paper 2: Health, Disease Control, Public Health Strategies
For Students:
From a UPSC perspective, focus on:
Mains Level: Emerging diseases, zoonotic disease transmission, public health challenges.
Prelims Level: Virus clades, zoonosis, human-to-human transmission mechanisms.
Why in the News?
Recent research published in Virologica Sinica reveals that Mpox Clade 1a has shown evidence of human-to-human transmission potential, heightening concerns for global public health. This variant of the mpox virus has zoonotic origins and could adapt to sustain transmission chains in humans, posing risks for outbreak escalation and management.
Key Findings and Background of Mpox Clade 1a:
Origins of Mpox Clade 1a: This clade was initially observed in animals, primarily rodents, in Central and West Africa, with limited zoonotic spillovers into humans. Unlike previous strains, Clade 1a exhibits unique genetic mutations that may increase transmission potential among humans.
Global Health Concerns: The potential for sustained human-to-human transmission escalates public health risks, especially in urban areas with dense populations and limited healthcare resources.
Genetic Variability and Adaptation: The study highlights that Clade 1a has acquired genetic mutations which could enhance virus-host interactions, making it easier for the virus to adapt to human hosts and thus spread more readily.
Mechanism of Transmission
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