Be Vigilant To Check The Spread Of MPox, Odisha Govt Alerts Officials

Bhubaneswar: In view of Monkeypox outbreak and the World Health Organisation declaring a public health emergency, Odisha government issued guidelines for officials at (Point of Entries) airports and seaports in the state.

In a letter to officials of Health department, Biju Patnaik International Airport and Paradeep Port, state government highlighted the need to strengthen preparedness, surveillance, and response against Monkeypox.

The state government has directed agencies to be watchful for persons having history of travel to the affected countries in last 21 days and those complaining of rash, fever with other symptoms, said sources.

The letter stated international travellers health desk at airports and seaports or with crew coming from the affected countries or passengers at land borders at point of entries to be kept as high suspicion passengers.

All suspected case identified at the point of entry needs to be isolated at transit facilities and their details shared with surveillance officers of the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP), it stated.

In case of suspect case is lab confirmed, the point of entries will keep the list of contacts and share it immediately with the state and district teams.

“All airports, seaport and landport operators will provide all necessary assistance to the APHO/PHO in managing this PHEIC,” the letter further stated.