Droplets are a “minor” route of transmission of ampox compared with physical contact, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said today, adding that more research is needed to understand how the virus spreads.
The UN health agency declared ampox a public health emergency of international concern on August 14 amid a surge in cases in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and its neighbouring countries.
Primarily, two distinct clades of the virus, Ia and Ib, are of significant concern in the DRC. The third variant, clade II, originated in Nigeria and is responsible for the global outbreak that began in 2022.
What is Mpox?
The ampoxvirus is an orthopoxvirus that causes a disease called ampox (monkeypox). According to the World Health Organization website, its symptoms are similar to smallpox, although it is less severe.
What are the symptoms of ampox?
- Fever
- Widespread specific rash
- swollen lymph nodes
- Headache
- Back pain and muscle aches
- Lack of energy
The incubation period of ampox can range from 5 to 21 days. According to the WHO, the febrile phase of the illness (when the fever persists) usually lasts 1 to 3 days. This is followed by the skin rash phase, which can last 2 to 4 weeks.
How is ampox spread?
The WHO has said that ampox spreads mainly between people through close physical contact with a person infected with the virus. “Close contact includes skin-to-skin (such as touching or sex) and mouth-to-mouth or mouth-to-skin contact (such as kissing),” it said.
However, World Health Organization spokeswoman Margaret Harris said today that if someone infected with the virus has a wound, “if you’re talking to someone closely, breathing on them, being physically close, face-to-face, the virus is likely to spread,” but that it’s a minor source.
“When you’re talking to someone, you do expel droplets,” he said, but “it’s not a very widespread form of infection — and it’s not an airborne, long-distance infection.”
The World Health Organization recommends the use of face masks for people with ampox, their close contacts, and health workers treating them.
Is there a vaccine for ampox?
Yes, there are some vaccines recommended by WHO for use against mpox. However, only people at risk should get vaccinated. WHO has not recommended mass vaccination against mpox.
How has India prepared for a possible ampox outbreak?
There are currently no active cases of ampox in India. The government has ordered officials at airports, seaports and borders with Bangladesh and Pakistan to be vigilant about incoming international travellers who show symptoms of ampox.
The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) issued protocols for dealing with suspected ampox cases in India. Various government hospitals were instructed to create isolation rooms for suspected and confirmed ampox cases.
The institute recommends establishing a screening process in the triage area, whereby, upon arrival, patients with fever, rash, or history of contact with confirmed ampox cases should be marked for immediate evaluation.
Officials said that according to one assessment, the risk of a large-scale outbreak with sustained infections is low.
(With inputs from AFP)
