Airports start screenings to prevent monkeypox spread

Screening measures have been implemented at national airports to curb the spread of monkeypox, following the World Health Organization‍‍`s declaration of the outbreak as a global health emergency, report agencies. 

The Directorate General of Health Services issued a warning after a meeting with the airport authorities and airlines on Friday.

The authorities started the screening on Aug 16, Ishraq Shahriar Angel, a health official at Dhaka’s Shahjalal International Airport, said.

Sheikh Daud Adnan, director of the DGHS‍‍` disease control division, said, “All passengers arriving from abroad will be screened. Initially, we considered screening only those coming from African countries, but later decided to screen all passengers.

“If any suspected cases are identified, they will be sent to Kurmitola General Hospital, Kuwait Bangladesh Friendship Govt Hospital, or the Infectious Diseases Hospital under IEDCR supervision.”

Airlines have been asked to stay vigilant and promptly inform the health directorate if any passenger shows symptoms.

Passengers are also urged to call 10655 if any symptoms develop within 21 days of their arrival.

The health directorate has advised individuals to call 10655 if symptoms appear within 21 days of returning from abroad.

Common symptoms of monkeypox include fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, weakness, swollen lymph nodes, and skin rashes or lesions.

WHO has declared the monkeypox outbreak in parts of Africa a global health emergency.

On Friday, Pakistan’s health department in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province confirmed three cases of monkeypox in patients who had recently returned from the United Arab Emirates.

The virus, which originated in the Democratic Republic of Congo and claimed at least 450 lives, has spread to neighbouring countries and various regions across Central and East Africa, according to BBC.

The rapid spread of a new strain and its high mortality rate have raised concerns among scientists.