BENGALURU, 13 SEPT

After India reported its first Mpox confirmed case, Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) in Bengaluru has stepped up its surveillance. Health Department officials posted at the airport are monitoring passengers arriving from countries where monkey pox cases have been reported.

Flyers displaying symptoms such as rashes, fever, severe headaches, back pain and muscle cramps will be tested and advised to self-isolate. A surveillance officer has been appointed at the airport to oversee the screening.

Meanwhile, health workers in the State are receiving training to identify, track, and test for mpox under the supervision of a task force led by experts, as outlined by Harsh Gupta, Principal Secretary of Health. The Health Department has instructed Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) to send samples of suspected mpox cases to designated laboratories for testing. If a patient tests positive, they will be quarantined for 21 days.

Health Department has dedicated two isolation beds in all district and taluk hospitals, as well as in public healthcare and community centres.—Salar News