Airports, ports asked to intensify health screening of travellers amid Monkeypox outbreak fear

New Delhi, July 18 (FN Agency) The Centre on Monday asked the airports and ports in the country to carry out strict health screening of international travellers arriving in India. The directions after a review of the functioning of health screening of international travellers at airports and ports to minimize the risk of Minkeypox outbreak. A meeting was conducted by the Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW) between Airport and Port Health Officers (APHOs/PHOs) and Regional Directors from the regional offices of Health & Family Welfare department.

“The officials were advised to ensure strict health screening of all arriving international travellers which can minimize the risk of importation of monkeypox cases into the country,” a statement issued form the Union Health Ministry said. They were also asked and re-oriented in clinical presentation of monkeypox disease as per MoHFW’s ‘Guidelines for Management of Monkeypox Disease’ “They were also advised to coordinate with other stakeholder agencies like Immigration at international ports and airports to streamline health screening processes besides ensuring suitable linkages with hospital facilities earmarked to each port of entry for timely referral and isolation,” the statement added. India reported its first case of Monkeypox last week in Kerala.