Mpox watch helps identify variant of virus causing chickenpox

Subject: Science and tech

Section: Health

Introduction

The Indian Council of Medical Research-National Institute of Virology (ICMR-NIV) has identified the Clade 9 variant of varicella zoster virus (VZV) in India.
This discovery is a result of systematic surveillance prompted by the global multi-country monkeypox (mpox) outbreak.

Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV):

VZV, or Human Herpesvirus 3, is a contagious herpesvirus causing chickenpox during primary infection.
Latency and Reactivation:
- After primary infection, VZV remains dormant in nerve ganglia and can later reactivate as shingles.
Transmission:
- It spreads through respiratory droplets and direct contact with infected individuals or their blisters.
Symptoms:
- Chickenpox presents with fever, fatigue, and an itchy rash.
- Shingles cause pain and a one-sided rash.
Clade 9 Variant in India:
The clade 9 variant of VZV was found in India for the first time.
Commonly circulating in Germany, the UK, and the USA.

Monkeypox:

A rare viral disease that belongs to the orthopoxvirus family, which also includes smallpox and cowpox viruses.
It was first discovered in 1958 when outbreaks occurred in monkeys, hence the name “Monkeypox“.
Transmission:
- Typically transmitted from animals to humans, and occasionally, human-to-human.
Symptoms:
- Symptoms include fever, rash, and swollen lymph nodes.
Geographic Distribution:
- Primarily found in Central and West Africa.

Monkeypox vs. Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV)

Monkeypox disease symptoms often resemble those of VZV (chickenpox).
Monkeypox is a zoonotic disease with relatively limited human-to-human transmission.
Varicella zoster virus does not have an animal reservoir and is characterized by widespread human-to-human transmission.
Despite VZV clade 9 infection, no significant increase in disease severity was observed in patients.