The Ministry of Health has said that Bangladesh is on high alert for mpox (previously monkeypox), an infectious disease which has spread across various countries, particularly in Central Africa.
The disease, which leads to symptoms such as pain, swollen lymph nodes and fever, has been reported in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda, and Kenya, reports UNB.
Pakistan’s health ministry, on Friday, said that it has identified a case of mpox, but sequencing is being done to determine whether it is a new variant.
Daud Adnan, the deputy director of the Department of Hospitals and Clinics at the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), reassured the public on Saturday that no cases have been detected in Bangladesh yet.
However, he emphasised the importance of remaining vigilant due to the infectious nature of the disease. “We are taking proactive measures to prevent mpox from entering the country. Guidelines will be issued for airports, river routes and other points of entry where caution is necessary,” he told UNB.
Health authorities urged individuals to seek immediate medical attention if they experience symptoms or come into contact with an infected person, especially within 21 days of traveling to an affected country.
The public has been advised to contact the helplines 16263 or 10655 for assistance.
“We are committed to ensuring that no one enters the country with mpox,” Adnan added, underscoring the government's determination to prevent the spread of the virus.
HSIA starts temperature screening
Meanwhile, Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) on Saturday started screening the temperatures of the arriving air travellers in view of the global public health alert on mpox issued by the World Health Organization (WHO).
HSIA Executive Director Group Captain Kamrul Islam said the authority is screening arrival passengers with the ‘Thermal scanner archway’ and if required travellers with symptoms will be sent to Kurmitola General Hospital, Infectious Diseases Hospital (IDH) and Kuwait Bangladesh Maitree Hospital, reports BSS.
HSIA authorities on Friday held a meeting following WHO’s declaration of a global health emergency in response to the upsurge of cases of mpox, according to a press release.
Officials of Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB), Communicable Disease Control (CDC) unit of DGHS, HSIA health department and airlines joined the meeting.
Decisions were made in the meeting for concerned stakeholders to remain alert and take responsibility in this situation to tackle the passengers with the mpox symptoms.
CDC representatives have taken several protective measures such as avoiding close contact with people with suspected or confirmed mpox, wearing medical masks, avoiding skin-to-skin contact and using disposable gloves and washing hands regularly with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub.
Airlines were asked to remain alert and inform the health department promptly in case of any passenger with the symptoms.
Besides, passengers are requested to call 10655 in case of any symptoms developing within 21 days of arrival.
The meeting was presided over by CAAB Member Operations Air Commodore AFM Atikuzzaman while HSIA Executive Director Kamrul, CDC-DGHS Director Sheikh Daoud Adnan, IHR Senior Adviser Dr Nasir Ahmed Khan, National Professional Officer - WHO Dr ASM Alamgir, AOC Chairman Dilara Ahmed, and Airlines representatives were present, among others.
According to WHO, common symptoms of mpox are a skin rash or mucosal lesions which can last two to four weeks accompanied by fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, low energy and swollen lymph nodes.
The resurgence of mpox in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and a growing number of countries in Africa constitutes a public health emergency of international concern under the International Health Regulations (2005).
