Reports of rising cases of mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have raised alarms globally. The World Health Organization (WHO) recently declared the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), since January 2023, the DRC has reported more than 27,000 suspected mpox cases and more than 1,300 deaths. Unfortunately, the prevalence of mpox is said to be higher among children, with many health experts urging parents to remain vigilant and take all precautions to protect their kids.
Amid concerns and chaos, the OnlyMyHealth team interacted with Dr Joydeep Ghosh, Consultant - Internal Medicine, Fortis Hospital, Anandapur, to understand why mpox is more prevalent among children and to discuss ways to mitigate the risk.
Also Read: Mpox: A Public Health Emergency – How India Can Prepare For An Outbreak
Why Children Are More Susceptible To Mpox Than Adults
According to the WHO, children, pregnant people, and people with weakened immune systems are at greater risk of severe mpox symptoms.
As far as kids are concerned, Dr Ghosh attributes their increased risk of mpox to several factors:
Weaker Immune Systems: Children typically have weaker immune systems than adults, as their immune systems are still developing. This can result in a less effective response to infections, leading to more severe symptoms and complications in children.
Exposure Patterns: Children's behaviours, such as mouthing objects, frequent touching, and close contact with contaminated items or animals, increase their risk of contracting mpox. Additionally, newborns and infants who are breastfed by an infected mother may also be at higher risk.
Understanding Mpox Transmission
Mpox is a communicable disease that can spread between people and animals. In children, the transmission routes include:
- Close contact with an infected person or someone who is exhibiting symptoms of mpox.
- Contact with toys, clothes, or bedding that has been contaminated with the mpox virus can also lead to infection.
- Contact with infected pets or animals.
Common Mpox Symptoms To Watch Out For In Children
Mpox can lead to various symptoms and complications. In children, here are symptoms parents should keep an eye out for:
- Fever
- Rashes like those of chickenpox and other viral infections
- Headache
- Swollen lymph nodes in the armpits, neck, or groin
- Excessive tiredness or exhaustion
- Pain in the muscles and back
- Colds, coughs, and sore throats
How To Reduce The Risk Of Mpox Transmission In Children
There are various ways parents can reduce their children’s risk of contracting mpox. These include:
- Promoting and practising good hygiene, like frequent hand washing with soap and water or using sanitisers.
- Completely avoiding contact with infected persons or animals. One should strictly follow isolation protocols in such cases.
- Disinfecting potential contaminated surfaces such as toys, doorknobs, bedding, clothes, etc. with disinfectants that are virus-resistant.
- Being vigilant about the symptoms in children.
- Vaccinating the children if the vaccine is available and has been prescribed by the doctor.
Vaccines are also a great way to reduce one's risk of mpox. Currently, the WHO recommends the use of MVA-BN, LC16, or ACAM2000 for mpox prevention; however, it is always advisable to consult a doctor before vaccinating your child.
Management Tips
If your child develops mpox symptoms, it is crucial that you do not panic and take the necessary measures to not only manage the symptoms but also curb the spread of the infection. Some strategies involve:
- Isolating the child completely from the others.
- Seeking immediate medical help
- Following the prescribed medication and treatment.
- Regularly observing if the symptoms are getting better or worse.
- It is advisable to cover the rashes as much as possible.
Currently, there are no approved medications or treatments to specifically target and treat mpox; however, doctors may advise an antiviral drug that is used to treat smallpox. But again, consulting a doctor is key.