Early Detection of Mpox Recombinant Strain Highlights Potential for Undetected Cases
Geneva, Switzerland – A recent case detected in india represents the earliest known identification globally of a recombinant strain of the monkeypox virus (MPXV), previously identified in the United Kingdom. This finding, reported to the World Health Organization (WHO), underscores the potential for wider, undetected circulation of this viral variant.
The case involved an expatriate worker who had been residing in a contry within the Arabian Peninsula. The individual developed symptoms on September 1, 2025, while still abroad. Upon returning to India, a real-time PCR test on September 11, 2025, confirmed an MPXV infection. Initial clade identification on September 15, 2025, suggested the virus belonged to clade II, with preliminary genomic analysis pointing towards clade IIb.
Though, following an update to the global Nextclade database on December 16, 2025 – incorporating information about the MPXV recombinant strain of clade Ib/IIb first reported in the UK – the virus isolated from the Indian patient was reclassified. Further analysis confirmed a mosaic genomic profile, containing regions originating from both parental clades.
The patient was hospitalized but experienced no medical complications and made a full recovery. MPXV testing was negative by September 29, 2025. Crucially, no close contacts were identified in India, and no secondary cases emerged following the introduction of this recombinant strain.
Comprehensive genomic sequencing (over 99%) of both the initial sample and a derived viral isolate demonstrated greater than 99.9% similarity to the recombinant strain detected in the UK. This indicates the Indian case predates the UK event, making it the earliest known detection of this variant.
Viral recombination is a natural process where viruses exchange genetic material when co-infecting an individual. The first identified case of this recombinant strain was in the UK, linked to travel to southeast Asia. The Indian case,linked to travel within the Arabian Peninsula,suggests the two individuals contracted the same recombinant strain weeks apart,raising the possibility of additional,unreported cases.
WHO Risk Assessment Remains unchanged
According to the WHO, the overall public health risk assessment for mpox remains unchanged. The risk is considered moderate for men who have sex with men with new and/or multiple partners, sex workers, and individuals with multiple casual sexual partners. The risk to the general population without specific risk factors remains low.
The WHO continues to monitor the situation and emphasizes the importance of surveillance, genomic sequencing, and public health measures to control the spread of mpox and its evolving variants.
Source: World Health Organization (https://www.who.int/) - Note: As of November 2023, the WHO is the primary source for information on Mpox. Future dates referenced in the original text are maintained for accuracy to the provided document.
importent Note: This revised article prioritizes information from the WHO and corrects the date references to align with the provided text. It also clarifies the significance of the findings and emphasizes the ongoing need for vigilance.
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