Measures to thwart Mpox, screening at airports – Health Secretary

The Ministry of Health has already taken necessary measures to strengthen the screening system at the airports to detect any Mpox formerly called monkeypox infected patient who may enter the country through the airport, Health Ministry Secretary Dr. Palitha Mahipala said. He stressed that the country’s healthcare system is ready to face any such incidence and isolation and treatment facilities have already been established in the Institute of Infectious Diseases in Angoda.

The Colombo Medical Research Institute has laboratory facilities for the detection of Mpox patients, and at the expert committee meeting held at the Health Ministry on Tuesday (20), necessary guidelines was also given for better preparedness and response to prevent this disease. A circular related to these instructions has also been sent to all healthcare institutions.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared Mpox a public health emergency of international concern based on the ongoing outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) that has spread to at least 13 other African countries, with possible cases in Europe and Asia.

Mpox is a self-limiting viral infection caused by Mpox virus. The most common symptoms of Mpox include fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, low energy, and swollen lymph nodes, along with pox-like rashes that last for two to three weeks. It is a self-limiting disease but can lead to death, especially among children and those with weak immune systems.

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