Monkey pox outbreak: Bengaluru airport on high alert, staff conduct tests for international passengers

Passengers arriving from African countries are being thoroughly monitored until they leave the Bengaluru airport, as multiple Mpox cases were recorded there.

Published on: Sep 16, 2024, 08:18:16 IST

By HT News Desk

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport is on high alert after India’s first monkeypox case was detected in New Delhi and screening tests for international passengers are underway. A 26-year-old man from Haryana was infected with the virus, which can be transmitted from person to person.

Monkey pox outbreak: Bengaluru airport on high alert, staff conduct tests for international passengers

Also Read - Monkeypox scare in Bengaluru: Karnataka health dept ready with 50-bed isolation ward

In an announcement, Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) said, “Keeping the global Mpox situation in mind, Bengaluru airport is fully prepared with all safety protocols. We are conducting screening and temperature checks of international passengers, and if anyone is found with the symptoms, we send them for a 21-day quarantine.”

Passengers arriving from African countries are being thoroughly monitored until they leave the airport, as multiple Mpox cases were recorded there.

Meanwhile, Karnataka health department also said that the state government has implemented comprehensive measures to manage any potential outbreak. Speaking to news agency ANI earlier, Karnataka Medical Education minister Sharan Prakash Patil said, “There's no need for alarm; we have implemented the necessary measures. The Union Health Department has already issued guidelines, and the Centre has provided advisories regarding Mpox. We have organised testing and screening facilities at Victoria Hospital and set up isolation beds. Tests will be conducted free of charge.”

Also Read - Karnataka cabinet greenlights Bengaluru's mega tunnel project for ₹12,690 crore: Report

The Union Health Ministry said that the man who tested positive for the Mpox virus had been isolated, and contact tracing was underway to identify the possible source of the infection.

Mpox is a viral disease caused by the monkeypox virus. After a sudden increase in cases of monkeypox was recorded in parts of Africa, the World Health Organisation (WHO) on August 14 declared the Mpox outbreak a public health emergency of global concern. This was the second announcement by WHO on a global outbreak of the viral disease since 2022, when cases were reported from all over the world.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

Catch every big hit, every wicket with Crickit, a one stop destination for Live Scores, Match Stats, Infographics & much more. Explore now!

Stay updated Bengaluru Weather Live and with all the Breaking News and Latest News from Bengaluru. Click here for comprehensive coverage of top cities including Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, and more across India . Stay informed on the latest happenings in World News.