Is the threat of Mpox increasing again? WHO confirms new 'hybrid' strain, first case found in India

News Topical, Digital Desk : The World Health Organization recently confirmed news that has alarmed health experts. Yes, a completely new strain of the ampox virus has emerged. This isn't an ordinary virus, but a recombinant virus created by combining the genetic material of two older viruses.

Most importantly, cases of this new virus have been found in India and the UK. In light of this, the WHO has advised strict surveillance worldwide. How did this new virus emerge, and do we need to be afraid of it? Let's find out in detail.

Where were new cases found?

According to the WHO report, two cases of this new strain have been reported:

• United Kingdom: The first case was reported in the UK. This person had returned from a trip to a Southeast Asian country.
• India: The second case is from India, where the patient had travelled to a country in the Arabian Peninsula.

What's striking is that these two patients fell ill at different times, but both were infected with the same new virus. In both cases, the symptoms were similar to those seen in other cases of ampox .

How dangerous is the new strain?

The relief is that neither patient had a serious illness. Contact testing has been completed in both countries, and the infection has not spread to anyone else. However, the WHO says the discovery of these two cases suggests that there may be more cases that have not yet been detected.

How was the virus identified?

• UK case: Detected in December 2025. Initially thought to be Clade Ib, detailed testing later revealed it contained fragments of both Clade Ib and Clade IIb.
• India's case: The patient in India developed symptoms in September 2025. Initially, it was considered to be clade II. Later, database updates revealed that it was the same new mixed strain found in the UK.

Keep in mind, the Indian case is the first known case of this new strain.

What is Mpox after all?

Ampox, formerly known as monkeypox, is a viral infection that causes a smallpox-like rash and flu-like symptoms. The virus usually spreads from person to person through close contact. It can also sometimes be spread through objects or surfaces touched by an infected person.

Main types of ampoxes

• Clade I: This is found in Central Africa and causes more severe disease.
• Clade II: Found in East Africa. This is the type of virus that has been spreading worldwide since 2022 and is less deadly than Clade I.

What are the symptoms of ampox?

The symptoms of this virus do not appear the same in everyone, but the most common symptoms include:

Some people may only develop a rash, while others may experience flu-like symptoms and then develop a rash. In some cases, the rash may not develop at all. The WHO advises that it is too early to draw any conclusions due to the low number of cases of the new strain, but it is important to remain vigilant.

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