Karachi: Due to the recent monkeypox outbreak, the Federal Ministry of Health has set strict rules for international airports in the country. These rules include screening passengers, isolating those who may be infected, and taking other preventive actions to stop the virus from spreading.
The ministry’s notice from August 18 mentioned that the World Health Organization (WHO) has called the monkeypox outbreak a global health emergency. It said that to prevent the virus from spreading internationally, all international airports in Pakistan must follow strict safety measures.” The ministry’s procedures require checking the health of passengers and crew members when they arrive.
They also state that visas on arrival will only be given if passengers pass a health check.A new variant of mpox was recently found in Sweden and linked to an increasing outbreak in Africa. This is the first time this variant has spread outside Africa.Mpox is a viral illness similar to smallpox, which has been eradicated. It spreads through close contact with infected people or by touching contaminated items like sheets, clothes, or needles. The early signs of this illness include fever, chills, muscle aches, swollen glands, tiredness, headache, and muscle weakness. Later, a rash appears that is painful or itchy, with bumps that eventually form scabs and heal over several weeks. According to health guidelines, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) will help put health measures in place at airports while keeping airport operations running smoothly.
They will also check to make sure these measures are being followed. The Border Health Services (BHS) will lead the efforts to handle mpox cases at international airports. They will isolate and safely transport anyone suspected of having mpox to the right medical facilities.
The BHS will also report confirmed cases to health authorities and keep track of data. The Border Health Services (BHS) is using thermal scanners at all entry points to find passengers with fever, a sign of mpox.
Their staff will also visually check for symptoms. If someone is suspected of having mpox, they will be isolated in a special area at the airport. Passengers who have been in close contact with a confirmed mpox case will be quarantined according to health guidelines. If a case is confirmed, the BHS will track down people who were near the infected person and monitor them for symptoms
