In response to rising global Mpox concerns, Bengaluru airport has set up four screening stations to monitor international travelers for symptoms of Mpox. According to a spokesperson from Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL), all international passengers are being checked for elevated temperatures and signs of illness upon arrival.
While India has reported one Mpox case, it is not of the Clade 1b strain, the more virulent form of the virus, for which the World Health Organization (WHO) has sounded an alert.
Safety Protocols and Quarantine Measures
Travelers who test positive for Mpox at the airport will be subjected to a mandatory 21-day quarantine. This mirrors the stringent isolation measures implemented during the Covid-19 pandemic. An isolation zone has been set up at the airport for immediate intervention if any passenger is found to be infected. The quarantine will last until a follow-up test confirms the traveler is free of infection.
Passengers arriving from countries with high Mpox infection rates, particularly from African nations, are under heightened surveillance to prevent the spread of the virus.
Mpox Declared a Health Emergency by WHO
On August 14, the World Health Organization declared Mpox a public health emergency. This announcement followed multiple outbreaks worldwide, raising concerns about the disease’s potential to spread globally.
Mpox, a viral disease initially discovered in primates, can be transmitted to humans through direct contact with infected animals or from human-to-human transmission via bodily fluids or respiratory droplets. Common symptoms include fever, rash, and swollen lymph nodes. While most cases resolve within a few weeks, severe instances can occur.
Focus on Prevention and Control
Public health measures for Mpox focus on isolation, infection control, and monitoring for further outbreaks. Airports like Bengaluru are proactively screening travelers to contain the virus and prevent it from spreading within India. Given the parallels with Covid-19, these strict measures aim to safeguard public health effectively.
