Monkeypox scare: Indian govt reviews health actions at international airports, ports
New Delhi, July 18: The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare reviewed the functioning of the health screening of international visitors arriving in India at airports and ports on Monday. This comes after India reported two cases of monkeypox.
Airport and Port Health Officers (APHOs/PHOs) and Regional Directors from Regional Offices of Health & Family Welfare were present at the meeting.
All the officials have been directed to ensure strict health screening of all arriving international travellers which can reduce the risk of importation of monkeypox cases into the country.
Officials were asked and re-oriented in the clinical presentation of monkeypox disease as per MoHFW's 'Guidelines for Management of Monkeypox Disease'.
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In order to streamline the health screening procedures and to establish adequate links with the hospital facilities assigned to each port of entry for prompt referral and isolation, they were also advised to coordinate with other stakeholder agencies like Immigration at international ports and airports.
Senior representatives from the Disaster Management Cell and International Health Division also attended the meeting.
India reported the second confirmed monkeypox case from Kerala's Kannur district on Monday.
According to the Kerala Health Minister's office, a 31-year-old male has been infected with the virus and is currently undergoing treatment at Pariyaram Medical College, Kannur.
Earlier, India had reported the first monkeypox case of a UAE traveller from Kerala on July 14.
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-PTC News
