With the resurgence and spread of mpox across the globe, maternal health experts have advised pregnant women to adhere to public health advisories to avoid being infected with the viral infection.
The gynaecologists stated that positive pregnant women could transfer the disease to newborns through the placenta.
They warned that babies born to mothers with the infection were at risk of experiencing severe symptoms, including skin lesions, fever, and respiratory problems.
Speaking in separate interviews with PUNCH Healthwise, the reproductive health experts stressed the need for pregnant women to take precautions to avoid getting infected.
This warning comes as Mpox continues to spread in Africa and some parts of Europe with cases reported in several countries.
Recently, the Africa Centre for Disease Control declared a public health emergency over the growing mpox outbreak on the continent.
There is a serious and growing outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo that has now expanded outside the country. A new viral strain, which first emerged in September 2023, has, for the first time, been detected outside DRC.
The World Health Organisation stressed that the emergence last year and rapid spread of a new virus strain in DRC, clade 1b, which appears to be spreading mainly through sexual networks, and its detection in countries neighbouring the DRC are especially concerning, and one of the main reasons for the declaration of the PHEIC.
So far, about 2,863 confirmed mpox cases and 517 deaths across 13 African countries have been reported in 2024 alone.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday said Nigeria has recorded a total of 40 confirmed cases of mpox out of 830 suspected cases in the country.
Mpox is a rare viral zoonotic infectious disease (i.e., disease of animals transmitted from animals to humans) that is endemic in several African countries including the tropical rainforests of Central and West Africa.
The exact reservoir of the virus is still unknown, although rodents, squirrels, and monkeys are suspected to play a part in transmission.
Speaking with our correspondent, the maternal health experts advised pregnant women to avoid contact with anyone who has been infected with Mpox, and also practice good hygiene to reduce the risk of transmission.
The gynaecologists stressed the need for measures to protect pregnant women and newborns from infectious diseases which can have adverse complications on them.
Professor Oluwarotimi Akinola
Professor Oluwarotimi Akinola
A professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the Lagos State University College of Medicine, Oluwarotimi Akinola said Mpox could be transmitted from mother to child during pregnancy or childbirth.
While noting that pregnant women are more susceptible to the virus due to their reduced immunity, the maternal health specialist explained that the virus could cross the placenta barrier to infect the fetus, leading to complications.
Akinola, who is also the past president of the Society of Gynaecology and Obstetrics of Nigeria, noted that the resultant fever could also cause miscarriage, intrauterine death, preterm labour, and its consequences.
The professor of gynaecology also stressed the importance of awareness and education in preventing the spread of Mpox.
He emphasised the need for early detection and treatment.
The don maintained that the government has a role to play in curbing the spread of Mpox.
“Pregnant women are susceptible to most infections because of their reduced immunity. The virus can cross the placenta barrier to infect the foetus. The resultant fever can cause miscarriage, intrauterine death, preterm labour and its consequences.
“Part of the measures that can be taken to protect pregnant women is by being cognizant of transmission routes
“It is important people know that direct contact with infected individuals, contact with surfaces where the virus shed, hands and inhalation of aerosols from crusts and scabs can get them infected.
“The best way the government can help in the curb is majorly by creating awareness, promotion of universal infection control, hand washing, mask, early detection, vaccination and selective treatment with anti smallpox drug if available,” he noted.
On his part, a gynaecology oncologist at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Professor Kayode Ajenifuja said people younger than eight years old, pregnant women, and other people with compromised immunity are more susceptible to Mpox.
The professor of gynaecology said the virus could be transmitted vertically through the placenta during pregnancy and childbirth.
The fellow of the West African College of Surgeons, highlighted the likely complications of Mpox infection in pregnant women, including abortion, premature births, and intrauterine death of the fetus.
The don stressed the need for measures to protect pregnant women and newborns from the virus.
He stated, “People younger than eight years, pregnant women, and people with compromised immunity are susceptible to mpox. The virus, though originally a zoonosis, is easily transmitted among humans through contact with an infected person, and contact with infected body fluids.
“It can be transmitted vertically through the placenta during pregnancy and childbirth.
“The likely complications include abortion, premature births, and intrauterine death of the foetus. Premature birth on its own is a major contributor to perinatal death. So, if a child is born prematurely, the chances of dying within the first week of life are very high.
“Pregnant women are particularly susceptible to Mpox because of the relative reduction in immunity during pregnancy. There are different strains of the mpox virus; the so-called Clade 1 is found mainly in the Congo basin and the Clade 11 is found in the West African sub-region. Clade 11 has further differentiated into Clade 11a. Morbidity and mortality is higher in infection by Clade 1 than Clade 11.
“In cases of mass outbreaks, case detection and isolation of infected cases and treatment will help to stop the spread of the virus. Mass vaccination is another means of preventing the spread.”
Speaking further on how babies can be infected through their mothers, the maternal health expert explained, “Babies can be infected either in utero by transmission through the placenta or during childbirth. Such babies once infected may test positive.”
While calling on the government to improve public health infrastructure and provide adequate funding for healthcare, the physician noted that health education is a key factor in preventing the spread of Mpox.
He also emphasised the need for research to improve understanding of the virus and its complications.
Ajenifuja recommended avoiding contact with infected persons and infected body fluids, minimising interactions with known carriers of the virus, and improving public health measures, sanitation, and socioeconomic conditions.
The professor stressed the need for health education, vaccination at least for high-risk groups, improvement of public health measures, and poverty reduction.
When asked about measures that can be taken to protect pregnant women and their babies, the don said, “This can be done by avoiding contact with infected persons, and infected body fluids and minimising our interactions with known carriers of the virus such as rodents, and monkeys.
“More importantly improvement of our public health measures, improved sanitation and socioeconomic conditions of the populace. Health education is also crucial. Poverty is one of the risk factors for infection with the mpox virus.
“Health education, vaccination at least for high-risk groups, improvement of public health measures, and reduction of poverty are ways the government can help reduce the spread of the infectious disease.”
Punch
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