Clade 9 VZV Strain: New Chickenpox Virus Variant Found in India for the First Time

A new chickenpox variant was found in India. This new strain was found to cause varicella-zoster virus.

Clade 9 Variant Detected in India for the First Time

The variant was first detected when the country was conducting a mpox study. The detection of the new strain raises concerns regarding its similarities and differences with existing variants in the country and possible impacts, especially on vulnerable groups.

According to the World Health Organization, VZV is to blame for chickenpox cases. VZV belongs to the family of herpes virus. Its transmission is primarily through aerosols, droplets, or direct respiratory contact.

For children, the virus may be milder. For adults, on the other hand, cases are more severe.

Though Clade 1 and Clade 5 were previously detected in the country, it is the first time the Clade 9 variant has been found in India. The first Clade 9 variant case was located in Kerala's Kozhikode district.

The detection of the variant came while health officials were examining 331 suspected mpox cases. Among these cases, 28 were found to be VZV triggered.

Clade 9 Chickenpox Variant

Symptoms of the Clade 9 strain include headache, appetite loss, fever, rashes, fatigue, and overall feeling of illness. Chickenpox rashes, hallmarks of typical chickenpox, show up roughly two to three weeks post-exposure. Before these rashes, the person with Clade 9 could experience body aches, headaches, and a fever.

Clade 9 is the most common chicken-pox strain in the UK, Germany, and the US. The virus is capable of causing chickenpox, which is highly contagious.

There is no known difference between Clade 9 and earlier variants in terms of severity.

According to Dr. Vineeta Taneja, the director of Internal Medicine at Fortis Hospital, the most effective way to prevent a chickenpox infection is to get vaccinated. This should be a go-to for children and adults in areas where vaccines are accessible and available.

Aside from this, regular handwashing and proper hygiene should also be practiced. This could help reduce VZV transmission risk. It is recommended to wash hands regularly with water and soap, especially after sneezing, coughing, or touching the face.

Dr. Taneja also advises avoiding close contact with people infected with shingles or chickenpox. Someone infected with any chickenpox variant should get isolated to hamper the further virus transmission. It is crucial to avoid contact, especially for those who are more vulnerable to infection.

Check out more news and information on Medicine and Health in Science Times.