Thiruvananthapuram airport starts screening international travellers for mpox

T'PURAM: The Thiruvananthapuram international airport has started screening passengers for mpox.

A health desk has been set up at the international arrival terminal, and those reaching with symptoms of cold and fever will be identified and sent for isolation and further tests, said a press release.

The move comes after a 38-year-old man from Edavanna in Malappuram developed symptoms of mpox after returning from Dubai. He tested positive on Wednesday evening.

In a statement, the airport said, "International travellers' health desk will be screening passengers with fever, profound weakness, and an otherwise unexplained rash and have travelled in the last 21 days to a country that has recently had confirmed or suspected cases of mpox or report and contact with a person or people with confirmed or suspected mpox."

Those identified as having suspected symptoms should fill out a self-reporting form and would be transferred to an isolation facility at a designated referral hospital by the state or district Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme team, the statement said.

Thiruvananthapuram airport has around 129 flights weekly to the Middle East, which is a major transit hub for passengers travelling from African countries. Around 15 African countries have reported 3,900 confirmed mpox cases.

Similar screenings are in place at Chennai and Bengaluru, while it will begin at other airports.

The Union govt has already asked the state govts to start screening for mpox.

Mpox, previously known as monkeypox, is a zoonotic viral disease with symptoms similar to smallpox, though less severe. It resolves typically on its own within 2-4 weeks.

In India, 30 mpox cases have been reported since the World Health Organisation's 2022 Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) declaration. Further, India is reportedly implementing preparatory measures and public health strategies to address potential mpox cases, said a statement from the Union ministry of health and family welfare.

In mid-Aug 2024, WHO declared the surge of mpox cases in several parts of Africa a PHEIC.