Countries Tighten Mpox Screening Measures

In response to the WHO declaring mpox a global public health emergency, several countries have implemented stringent screening measures at airports and other points of entry. China, Kenya, Singapore, Pakistan, and Indonesia are among those enhancing surveillance and health checks to prevent the spread of mpox, particularly the new Clade 1b variant. China will screen arrivals showing mpox symptoms and those from affected regions, with the measures lasting six months. Singapore has started temperature and visual screening at Changi and Seletar airports, and similar measures are in place at sea checkpoints. Pakistan has ramped up screenings at multiple airports, and Bali's Ngurah Rai International Airport has installed thermal scanners to detect potential cases. These efforts come as cases surge in Africa and new variants are identified in Sweden and Thailand.