The sudden rise of ampox cases across the world, especially in African countries, has forced countries to be on high alert. Three government hospitals in India, Lok Nayak Hospital, Guru Teg Bahadur (GTB) Hospital and Baba Saheb Ambedkar Hospital, have set up isolation rooms and special beds for ampox patients.

Although no cases of the new strain of ampox have been reported, a traveller who arrived in India from a country experiencing an outbreak was diagnosed with the Clade 2 strain, a less severe type that is not part of the current emergency.

Ampox appears as a skin rash that turns into pus-filled blisters, accompanied by fever, malaise, headache, sore throat or cough and (in many cases) swollen lymph nodes.

Ampox is caused by a virus from the same family as smallpox. Ampox can have a greater impact on vulnerable populations, such as children, pregnant women, and people already suffering from an underlying illness.

Pregnant women with ampox may experience severe symptoms such as high fever, difficulty breathing, and dehydration, which can lead to complications.

According to Dr Sonal Singhal, Senior Consultant, Obstetrician & Gynecologist, Motherhood Hospital, Gurugram, ampoxe, especially in early pregnancy, can increase the risk of miscarriage.

Other effects include:

• Premature delivery: Infection with ampox increases the risk of premature labor, potentially leading to premature delivery.
• Placental insufficiency: Ampox can cause inflammation of the placenta, which may reduce blood flow to the fetus, affecting its development.
• Congenital anomalies: Ampox infection during pregnancy may increase the risk of congenital anomalies, including skin lesions or eye abnormalities.
• low birth weight: Babies born to mothers infected with ampox may be underweight, increasing their risk of health problems.
• premature birth: Ampox infection can cause premature birth, which may have effects on the baby’s long-term health.
• intrauterine growth restriction: This virus can impair fetal growth and development, resulting in intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR).

Dr. Singhal said that pregnant women can stay safe by maintaining proper hygiene and avoiding close contact with infected persons.

Dr Singhal added, “It is important to have regular antenatal check-ups and closely monitor foetal health and growth to detect any complications early. Under the guidance of healthcare providers and consult your doctor, antiviral treatment may be considered to manage symptoms and reduce the risk of complications.”

By following these precautions, pregnant women can better protect themselves and their fetuses from the risks associated with ampox.