Staff Reporter :
The Health Ministry of Bangladesh has issued an alert for mpox (formerly known as monkeypox), following the spread of the infectious disease across various countries, particularly in Central Africa.
Mpox, which presents symptoms such as pain, swollen lymph nodes, and fever, has been reported in countries including the Democratic
Republic of Congo, Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda, and Kenya.
On Friday, Pakistan’s health ministry confirmed a case of mpox, although sequencing is underway to determine if it is a new variant.
Daud Adnan, 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 of mpox have been detected in Bangladesh thus far.
He stressed the importance of remaining vigilant due to the disease’s infectious nature.
“We are taking proactive measures to prevent mpox from entering the country.
Guidelines will be issued for airports, river routes, and other entry points where caution is necessary,” Adnan told journalists.
Health authorities are advising individuals to seek immediate medical attention if they experience symptoms or have been in contact with an infected person, especially within 21 days of travelling to an affected country.
The public is encouraged to contact helplines 16263 or 10655 for assistance.
“We are committed to ensuring that no one enters the country with mpox,” Adnan emphasised, highlighting the government’s commitment to preventing the virus’s spread.
In response to the global health alert issued by the World Health Organization (WHO) regarding mpox, Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) has commenced temperature screening for arriving air travellers.
HSIA Executive Director Group Captain Kamrul Islam stated that a ‘Thermal scanner archway’ is being used to screen passengers, and those displaying symptoms will be referred to Kurmitola General Hospital, Infectious Diseases Hospital (IDH), and Kuwait Bangladesh Maitree Hospital.
A meeting was held at Dhaka airport to address the WHO’s declaration of a global health emergency due to the rise in mpox cases.
The meeting, chaired by Member Operations Air Commodore AFM Atikuzzaman, was attended by HSIA Executive Director Group Captain M Kamrul Islam, 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 airline representatives, among others.