Monkeypox: India orders health screening of international travellers

After the second case of Monkeypox was reported, the Indian Health Ministry today (July 18, 2022) ordered strict enforcement of health screening of international travellers arriving in the country's airports and ports.

The meeting, convened by the ministry, told airport and port health officers and directors from regional health offices to ensure strict health screening of all arriving international air travellers as it can minimise the risk of importation of Monkeypox cases into the country, reports our New Delhi correspondent.

They were advised and re-oriented in the clinical presentation of Monkeypox disease as per the Health Ministry's guidelines for the management of the disease, an official statement said.

The concerned officials were also advised to coordinate with 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 meeting was attended by senior officials from the International Health Division, and Disaster Management Cell.

India reported its first two confirmed cases of Monkeypox from Kerala in the last three days. Both of them came from UAE.