Thiruvananthapuram Airport Implements Mpox Screening for International Travelers, BA

The Thiruvananthapuram international airport has initiated screening for mpox among passengers. A health desk has been established at the international arrival terminal to identify individuals with symptoms of cold and fever for isolation and further testing.

A 38-year-old man from Edavanna in Malappuram tested positive for mpox after returning from Dubai, prompting the airport to implement these measures.

The airport stated, “Passengers showing symptoms of fever, weakness, or unexplained rash and have recently traveled to countries with mpox cases will be screened at the international travelers’ health desk.”

Passengers with suspected symptoms will be transferred to an isolation facility at a designated hospital by the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme team.

Thiruvananthapuram airport operates numerous flights to the Middle East, a key transit point for passengers from African countries with confirmed mpox cases.

Similar screenings are in place at Chennai and Bengaluru airports, with plans to expand to other airports as per the Union government’s directives.

India has reported 30 mpox cases since the WHO’s declaration of a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) in 2022. The country is implementing public health strategies to address potential mpox cases.

In August 2024, WHO declared the surge of mpox cases in Africa a PHEIC.