In response to India’s first confirmed case of mpox in Delhi, Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) in Bengaluru has ramped up safety measures, mandating testing for all international passengers. The heightened protocols are aimed at containing the virus and preventing further spread.
According to multiple media reports, KIA has set up four dedicated testing kiosks to screen approximately 2,000 incoming international travellers daily. “We are fully prepared to comply with all health guidelines concerning the global Mpox situation,” said a spokesperson from Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL).
What do the protocols say?
– An isolation zone has also been established to manage suspected cases, enabling quick action if necessary
– Passengers arriving from regions with high Mpox prevalence, particularly African nations, are under special scrutiny
– Those testing positive will be placed in mandatory 21-day quarantine, similar to protocols used during the Covid-19 pandemic. They will only be released after a successful re-test confirms they are free of the virus
“Our medical teams are well-prepared, following health authorities’ instructions, to handle any situation that might arise. The safety of passengers and staff is our top priority,” the BIAL spokesperson reassured.
Mpox symptoms include fever, skin rashes, muscle pain, and severe headaches. While no specific treatment is available, early detection and isolation remain crucial. Airport officials urge travellers to cooperate with the testing measures and report any symptoms to prevent further transmission.
India’s first mpox patient, a 26-year-old man, diagnosed with the disease last week on Monday, is currently isolated at a special facility at Delhi’s Lok Nayak Hospital. The Delhi health minister said that the man is currently undergoing treatment. The Union ministry of health and family welfare had said that it was an isolated case and there was no immediate risk to the general public.