The widespread spread of a virulent new variant of ampox (formerly known as monkeypox) in Africa led the World Health Organisation (WHO) last week to declare it a global public health emergency.

Many countries, including India, have put hospitals and airports on high alert to isolate, manage and treat ampox patients.

However, a WHO official has insisted that AmPox is “not the new Covid” and authorities know how to control its spread unlike previous pandemics.

“We can and must tackle ’empox together,” Hans Kluge, the World Health Organisation’s regional director for Europe, told a UN media briefing. “How we respond now and in the years to come will be a crucial test for Europe and the world.”

Health experts had earlier told IndiaToday.in that though there is a huge potential for MPox to become a pandemic, the perception is that it is less likely than Covid-19.

“Unlike Covid-19, which spreads easily from person to person through the air, AmPox spreads primarily through direct contact with the infectious rash or body fluids,” said Dr Neha Rastogi Panda, senior consultant, infectious diseases, Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurugram.

Here’s all about ampox and how India is managing the disease.

• The first human case of ampox was reported in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of Congo. At the time, ampox was known as monkeypox. After numerous consultations with global experts, WHO began using a new preferred term, “ampox”.

• Common symptoms of ampox include a red skin rash that lasts two to four weeks. This is followed by fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, low energy and swollen lymph nodes.
• The rash looks like blisters and may affect the face, palms of the hands, soles of the feet, groin, genital and/or anal areas, mouth, throat, or eyes. These lesions remain contagious until a new layer of skin forms.
• People with severe ampox may require hospitalization, supportive care, and antiviral medications to reduce the severity of lesions and shorten recovery time.
• In human-to-human transmission, ampox is spread by touching, having sex, and talking or breathing in close proximity to a person with ampox, which can produce infectious respiratory particles. But the WHO says more research is needed on how the virus spreads during outbreaks in different settings and circumstances.

• Ampox can be deadly. According to the United Nations, 0.1% to 10% of people infected with ampox have died. Newborns, children, pregnant women, and people with underlying immune deficiencies have a higher risk of more serious complications and death.
• Two vaccines (ZYNNEOS and ACAM2000) are currently being used for ampox, which have been recommended by experts at the World Health Organization and approved by health authorities in several countries, including Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
• A new strain of ampox, clade Ib, is spreading rapidly in African countries, causing more severe disease.
• Dr PK Mishra, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister chaired a high-level meeting to review the status of ampox preparedness and related public health measures in the country.
• Dr Mishra directed that surveillance be increased and effective measures be taken for early detection of cases. At present, 32 laboratories are equipped for testing.
• According to current assessments, the risk of a large outbreak with sustained transmission is low.
• Three hospitals in India – Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, Safdarjung Hospital and Lady Hardinge Medical College – have been designated as primary facilities for the management and treatment of ampox patients.

• AIIMS (All India Institute of Medical Sciences) Delhi has earmarked five beds in the AB-7 ward to isolate cases of ampox. While the borders are on high alert, no cases of ampox have been reported in India at the moment.
• In India, the communicable disease (CD) alerts earlier issued by the National Centre for Disease Control are being updated taking into account the latest developments.

Amid the outbreak of ampox in neighbouring countries, India’s Health Ministry has directed all airports and land port authorities on the borders with Bangladesh and Pakistan to remain alert to international travellers showing symptoms of the disease.