August 28, 2024
PETALING JAYA – Border screenings and inbound health passes are among the measures being taken by Singapore and Thailand following the recent spate of mpox infections in the two countries.
In Singapore, mpox screenings are done at the island nation’s Changi and Seletar airports, as well as at sea checkpoints for inbound travellers and crew arriving from locations with a risk of mpox outbreaks.
Travellers with fever, rash or symptoms compatible with mpox infections will be referred for medical assessment, according to Singapore’s Health Ministry.
Health advisories have also been put in place at air checkpoints for travellers to take the necessary personal precautions.
All travellers are required to report mpox-related symptoms and travel history through the SG Arrival Card.
Contact tracing is conducted for all confirmed mpox cases. Close contacts will also be offered vaccination to reduce the risk of infection.
In Thailand, inbound travellers are also subject to screenings. Those showing suspected signs will be quarantined.
Inbound travellers must also register for the Thailand Health Pass. Cleared travellers will then receive a health card, with a specific QR code, to report possible symptoms.
On Aug 14, the World Health Organisation declared the mpox outbreak a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) following the upsurge of mpox, previously known as monkeypox, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and a growing number of countries in Africa.
It also highlighted concerns over it spreading further across countries in Africa and outside the continent.