Monkeypox: the Ministry of Health publishes a notice to international passengers

The Union Department of Health on Tuesday advised international passengers to refrain from eating or preparing wild game meat (bushmeat) or using products such as creams, lotions and powders from wild animals in Africa, in addition to avoiding close contact with sick people, including those with skin lesions or genital lesions.

The “Monkey Pox Management Guidelines” issued to states and union territories include an appendix — notice to international passengers — advising such passengers to avoid contact with dead or living organisms such as small mammals, including rodents (rats, squirrels) and non-human primates (monkeys, great apes).

It also advises avoiding contact with contaminated materials used by sick people such as clothing, bedding or materials used in healthcare facilities or that have come into contact with infected animals.

Outlining the role of APHOs and PHOs, the notice says they should remain on high alert, especially for passengers arriving from countries reporting outbreaks of monkeypox.

They should familiarize themselves with the clinical presentation of monkeypox, undertake strict thermal screening, verify passenger travel history to affected countries over the past 21 days, and establish or strengthen airport and port referral arrangements to liaison hospitals identified.

They must also inform the Bureau of Immigration, the airline and the state health personnel deployed with them of the disease, inform the airlines concerned of the detection of a suspected case for the purpose of the disinfection procedure to be followed in accordance with standard guidelines.

The guidelines state that international travelers should consult the nearest health facility if they develop symptoms suggestive of monkeypox such as fever with rash and were in an area where the illness has been reported or have come into contact with a person who might have had the disease.

(Only the title and image of this report may have been edited by Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

Dear reader,

Business Standard has always endeavored to provide up-to-date information and commentary on developments that matter to you and that have wider political and economic implications for the country and the world. Your constant encouragement and feedback on how to improve our offering has only strengthened our resolve and commitment to these ideals. Even in these challenging times stemming from Covid-19, we remain committed to keeping you informed and updated with credible news, authoritative opinions and incisive commentary on relevant topical issues.
However, we have a request.

As we battle the economic impact of the pandemic, we need your support even more so that we can continue to bring you more great content. Our subscription model has received an encouraging response from many of you who have subscribed to our online content. More subscription to our online content can only help us achieve the goals of bringing you even better and more relevant content. We believe in free, fair and credible journalism. Your support through more subscriptions can help us practice the journalism we are committed to.

Support quality journalism and subscribe to Business Standard.

digital editor