Photo: Collected
With the rapid spread of monkeypox (mpox) worldwide, authorities in Bangladesh have issued an alert at three major airports: Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, Shah Amanat International Airport, and Sylhet Osmani International Airport.
In a press release on Saturday, the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) announced this measure.
The statement detailed that a meeting was held on Friday (August 16) at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) with CAAB, airport authorities, airlines, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the airport health department, in response to the World Health Organization's (WHO) global public health alert on mpox.
Airlines were instructed to stay vigilant and promptly notify health authorities if any symptomatic passengers were detected. Passengers showing symptoms within 21 days of arrival are urged to call 10655.
The press release also mentioned that HSIA's health department has already implemented measures to handle symptomatic passengers. Leaflets are being distributed, and arrival health desks are manned 24/7 by doctors. Thermal scanner archways are used to screen arriving passengers' temperatures. If necessary, symptomatic passengers will be transported to Kurmitola General Hospital, Infectious Diseases Hospital (IDH), or Kuwait Bangladesh Friendship Government Hospital by ambulance.
Meanwhile, the WHO has declared a public health emergency in some parts of Africa due to the mpox outbreak. The highly contagious disease, formerly known as monkeypox, has resulted in at least 450 deaths in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The meeting was chaired by Operations Member Air Commodore A. F. M. Atiquzzaman. Other attendees included Group Captain M. Kamrul Islam, Executive Director of HSIA; Sheikh Dawood Adnan, Director of CDC, DGHS; Dr. Nasir Ahmed Khan, Senior Advisor of IHR; Dr. A. S. M. Alamgir, National Professional Officer of WHO; AOC Chairperson Mrs. Dilara Ahmed; Dr. Shamima of the HSIA Health Department; and representatives from various airlines.
Messenger/Shahed
