Bengaluru Airport Implements Mandatory Monkeypox Testing for International Passengers
In a significant move to curb the spread of the Monkeypox (MPox) virus, Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) in Bengaluru has initiated mandatory testing for all international passengers. This decision follows the detection of India’s first MPox case in Delhi earlier this week, prompting immediate action from health authorities. The airport has established four dedicated kiosks specifically for the testing of international arrivals, with a particular focus on passengers coming from countries heavily affected by the virus, notably in Africa. Infected individuals will be placed in isolation and subjected to a mandatory 21-day quarantine, mirroring the stringent precautions observed during the initial stages of the COVID-19 pandemic.
With around 2,000 passengers being tested daily, KIA is taking extensive measures to prevent the virus from entering Karnataka. The airport has implemented a robust screening, testing, and tracking system overseen by a designated officer to ensure smooth operations. A spokesperson for Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) emphasized that the airport is fully prepared and compliant with all necessary health and safety protocols in response to the global MPox situation. As part of the screening process, all international passengers undergo temperature checks, and those exhibiting symptoms are immediately isolated.
The establishment of an isolation zone at the airport is a critical step in managing suspected cases effectively. Infected individuals will receive treatment and undergo re-testing before being released, ensuring the virus is eradicated. Although India recently confirmed an isolated case of MPox, health authorities clarified that it was not the new strain causing the ongoing global health emergency. The resurgence of MPox and the detection of a new strain, clade 1b, in the Democratic Republic of Congo led the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare its highest international alert level on August 14. Laboratory testing confirmed the presence of the West African clade 2 of the MPox virus in the patient, distinguishing it from the current public health emergency reported by the WHO regarding clade 1.
Despite the alarming rise in MPox cases globally, India has not reported any cases caused by the new strain of the virus. This is significant given the country’s vast population of 1.4 billion people. The new clade 1b strain was first detected among sex workers in eastern DR Congo in September 2023 and has since been recorded in nearby countries such as Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda, which had not previously detected MPox. The spread of this new strain to Asia and Europe further underscores the importance of stringent surveillance and containment measures.
Kempegowda International Airport’s heightened alert and comprehensive testing measures come in the wake of a 26-year-old man from Haryana testing positive for MPox. Union Health Secretary Apurva Chandra has issued advisories to all states and union territories to enhance surveillance and testing. Additionally, the Directorate of Public Health and Preventive Medicine in Tamil Nadu has heightened alert levels, with popular cities like Hyderabad and New Delhi also on high alert. Airport and port health officers are focusing on passengers arriving from the Democratic Republic of Congo and other countries experiencing severe MPox outbreaks.
The airport’s medical services are well-prepared to handle suspected cases, with infected individuals being isolated and placed under a 21-day quarantine. The symptoms of MPox, such as fever, skin rashes, headaches, and muscle stiffness, are closely monitored, and seeking immediate medical attention for these symptoms is crucial as untreated cases can be life-threatening. Currently, there is no specific treatment for MPox, making early detection and containment vital. The virus can spread through direct contact with infected animals, humans, or contaminated materials, as well as through respiratory droplets.
Following treatment, individuals will be re-tested before being released to ensure the virus has been completely eradicated. The clade 1b variety of the virus is known for its high transmissibility through close contact, raising global concern. Although India has not reported any recent outbreaks of MPox, there have been 30 cases of the older clade 2 strain between 2022 and 2024. Professor Dimie Ogoina, chair of the IHR Emergency Committee, has called for decisive action to prevent another global outbreak of MPox, which originated in Africa and was largely neglected there.
The proactive measures taken by Kempegowda International Airport reflect a broader effort by Indian authorities to prevent the spread of MPox within the country. The Karnataka health department has implemented additional measures to manage any potential outbreak, with comprehensive strategies in place. Karnataka Medical Education Minister Sharan Prakash Patil has assured the public that there is no need for alarm, emphasizing that all necessary measures have been implemented according to Union Health Department guidelines. Victoria Hospital has been equipped with testing and screening facilities, as well as isolation beds, to handle any suspected cases efficiently.
Tests at Victoria Hospital will be conducted free of charge, ensuring accessibility for all individuals. The infected man from Haryana has been isolated, and contact tracing efforts are underway to identify the source of the infection. MPox is a viral disease caused by the monkeypox virus, which the World Health Organization declared a public health emergency of global concern on August 14, 2022. This declaration marked the second global outbreak of the viral disease since 2022, highlighting the urgency of containing its spread.
Surveillance at Kempegowda International Airport has been significantly increased, with testing kiosks set up specifically for international passengers, particularly those arriving from African countries. Passengers showing symptoms are required to undergo a mandatory 21-day quarantine to prevent the spread of the virus. The recent identification of a monkeypox case in Haryana, with the patient currently stable, underscores the importance of these measures. The WHO’s declaration of monkeypox as a public health emergency reflects the virus’s widespread impact and the need for vigilant monitoring and containment.
Currently, there are no treatments or vaccines available for monkeypox, which is believed to have originated in small rodents in Central and West Africa. The virus can spread through contact with infected animals or person-to-person transmission. Symptoms of monkeypox are similar to smallpox, including fever, rashes, and body aches. While not typically life-threatening, the disease can be fatal for individuals with weakened immune systems. The Karnataka state health department is conducting surveillance and contact tracing for anyone who may have been in contact with the infected individual from Haryana.
In addition to surveillance and contact tracing, the state government is actively educating the public on how to prevent monkeypox. Emphasizing the importance of good hand hygiene and mask-wearing, health experts are working to prevent the spread of the virus, which can transmit through respiratory droplets and live on surfaces for a short time. The proactive measures taken by airport officials in Bengaluru aim to reduce the risk of monkeypox spreading within the community. As the country faces another health crisis, it is crucial to take all necessary precautions to prevent a larger outbreak. Staying informed and adhering to safety protocols is key to containing the spread of monkeypox.