Centre advises strict monkeypox screening for international travellers after two confirmed cases

A 31-year-old man from Kerala who returned from Dubai tested positive for monkeypox, making it India's second case

The Union Health Ministry on Monday reviewed the health screening system of passengers at international airports following the discovery of India’s second monkeypox case in a 31-year-old Keralite who came via Mangalore airport.

The airport and port health officials have been instructed to ensure strict health screening of all arriving international travellers to minimize the risk of importation of monkeypox cases into the country.

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The officials were re-oriented in the clinical presentation of monkeypox disease as per the Union Health Ministry's Guidelines for Management of Monkeypox Disease, the ministry said in a statement.

They were also advised to coordinate with other stakeholder agencies like the Bureau of 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.

Last week, the ministry rushed a high-level team to Kerala after India’s first monkeypox case was reported in the Kollam district.