According to WHO, the varicella zoster chickenpox virus can lead to children getting mild disorders. This virus, also named as Clade 9, can lead to a far more severe situation in adults. It was the National Institute of Virology (NIV) that had found the new virus that came to be known as Clade 9 in India.
When the scientists in India were experimenting and carrying out a study on the monkeypox, they had come upon the varicella-zoster variant of the virus. The variant is common in countries like the UK, Germany, and US, which can cause chickenpox in teens and children. Shingles can be caused to adults through the virus.  Â
Clade 1 and 5 were already present in India, but it is for the first time that the Clade 9 virus has been found in India. The findings from the study of the scientists have been written down in the ‘Annals of Medicine’ that was published on September 6.
The new variant is part of the herpesvirus family, according to WHO. The virus can be spread through the aerosols, droplets, and when someone comes into direct contact with the secretions from the respiratory organs of another infected person.
Aside from causing severe situations in adults, the virus can become fatal for those people who are neonates and immunocompromised.
Inflammation Caused To The Brain By The Clade 9 Virus Can Be Fatal
The itchy rash on the face and scalp of an infected person is common when they are suffering from the Clade 9 virus. According to WHO, the patient would also suffer from fever and malaise during the initial stages.
Pneumonia and encephalitis or the inflammation of the brain is proven to be fatal at times when the patient is suffering from chickenpox. The other symptoms of the virus are headaches, reduced appetite, body pain, fever, and a general feeling of being unwell.
The rashes on the scalp and face would appear once it has been 2 to 3 weeks since the patient has been exposed to the varicella zoster virus. The rashes are characterized by papule-like bumps on the skin.
According to the reports, the health experts have found no difference in the severity of the infections that are caused by the new virus and older Clade 1 and 5 viruses.
There are no means of prevention for the virus, but vaccination can help a patient to avoid being infected by the virus. Suggestions have also included following proper hygiene and washing one’s hands on a regular basis.Â
According to Dr. Tushar Tayal, who is the consultant-internal of the medicine department from the CK Birla Hospital of Gurugram, Clade 9 that was the dominant strain from the western countries has come into India too and it has been causing the common childhood illness of chickenpox.Â
The papule bumps that appear on the skin of a patient of chickenpox become small fluid-filled blisters that are called vesicles. The vesicles heal after some time and become scabs. Prior to 2 days of the onset of the rashes, the person becomes infective to others.
It takes 2 weeks for the entire process to happen to a patient of the virus. The person is infectious to others until the scabs are formed on the skin of the patient, according to Dr. Tayal.Â
Making sure that a person and the children are up-to-date with their vaccination schedule is important to prevent the Clade 9 virus infection. Touching one’s face and eyes after coughing or sneezing can cause the disease of chickenpox to spread. It should be avoided, as per the advice of the doctors.
