What is ampox and how is it spread?
ReutersAfrica’s top health body says the ampox outbreak in central and east Africa is a continent-wide public health emergency.
The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says this one is more worrying than previous outbreaks because it involves a dangerous new variant of the disease.
How common is ampox and what countries does it occur in?
The disease ampox is caused by the monkeypox virus. This virus is from the same group of viruses as smallpox, but it is much less harmful.
The virus originally spread from animals to humans, but it is now spreading among humans as well.
It is most common in remote villages in the tropical rainforests of Africa, in countries such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo).
Thousands of cases and hundreds of deaths occur each year in these areas – and children under the age of 15 are most affected.
There are two main types of this virus circulating.
“Clade I” is endemic to Central Africa. “Clade Ib” This is the new, more deadly variant Viruses involved in the current outbreak,
The Africa CDC says there were more than 14,500 ampox infections and more than 450 ampox deaths from the beginning of 2024 to the end of July. This is a 160% increase in infections and a 19% increase in deaths compared to the same period in 2023.
Although 96% of all cases of ampox are in DR Congo, the disease has also spread to several neighbouring countries, such as Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda, where it is not generally endemic.
a milder form of ampox called “clade II”, found in western Africa, causing a global outbreak in 2022,
It spread to nearly 100 countries where the virus does not usually spread, including some in Europe and Asia, but was brought under control by vaccinating vulnerable groups.
Access to mpox vaccines and treatments is poor in DR Congo, and health officials are concerned about the spread of the disease.
Experts say the new strain may spread more easily, causing more severe illness and more deaths in children and adults.
What are the symptoms of ampox?
Initial symptoms include fever, headache, swelling, back pain, and muscle aches.
When the fever subsides, a rash may develop, often starting on the face and spreading to other parts of the body, most commonly the palms of the hands and soles of the feet.
The rash, which can be very itchy or painful, changes and goes through different stages to eventually form a crust, which then falls off. The lesions may lead to scarring.
The infection usually resolves on its own and lasts 14 to 21 days.
In severe cases the lesions may attack the entire body, especially the mouth, eyes and genitals.
How does it spread?
Ampox is spread from person to person through close contact with an infected person — including sex, skin-to-skin contact, and talking or breathing in close proximity to another person.
The virus can enter the body through broken skin, the respiratory tract, or the eyes, nose, or mouth.
The virus can also be spread by touching objects contaminated with the virus, such as bedding, clothing, and towels.
Close contact with infected animals, such as monkeys, rats and squirrels, is also another route of infection.
During the global outbreak in 2022, the virus spread mostly through sexual contact.
The current outbreak in DR Congo is caused by sexual contact, but it has also been found in other communities.
Who is most at risk?
Getty ImagesMost cases are often found in people who are sexually active and have sex with men. People with multiple partners or new sexual partners may be at highest risk.
But anyone who comes into close contact with someone with symptoms can catch the virus, including health workers and family members.
The advice is to avoid close contact with anyone who has ampox and to clean your hands with soap and water if the virus is in your community.
People who have ampox should isolate themselves from others until all of their lesions have disappeared.
The World Health Organization (WHO) says that condoms should be used as a precaution while having sex for 12 weeks after recovery.
How can it be treated?
Outbreaks of ampox can be controlled by preventing infection – the best way to do this is through vaccination.
Vaccines are available, but usually only people at risk or those who have come into close contact with an infected person can get them.
The World Health Organisation recently asked drugmakers to put their Mpox vaccines forward for emergency use, even if those vaccines have not been formally approved in countries where they are needed.
Now that the Africa CDC has declared a continent-wide public health emergency, the hope is that governments will be able to better coordinate their response and increase the flow of medical supplies and aid to affected areas.
