China has taken a proactive step in the fight against the escalating mpox outbreak by announcing mandatory screenings for the virus at its borders. This move comes just two days after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared mpox a global health emergency, highlighting the growing concern over the virus’s spread.
The Chinese customs administration has issued a statement outlining the new screening procedures, which will be implemented over the next six months. Travelers entering China from countries experiencing mpox outbreaks, those who have had contact with confirmed mpox cases, or those displaying mpox symptoms are instructed to inform customs officials upon arrival. Additionally, vehicles, containers, and goods from affected areas will be subjected to thorough sanitization measures.
This development follows the recent detection of a more concerning mpox variant in Sweden, marking the first case outside of Africa. This variant has raised alarms, with the WHO warning about the potential for further imported cases in Europe.
The WHO’s declaration of a global health emergency underscores the severity of the mpox situation, particularly in Africa. Just a day prior, the African Union’s health watchdog declared its own public health emergency in response to the intensifying outbreak.
Mpox, originally known as monkeypox, was first identified in humans in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 1970. The virus, spread through close physical contact with infected individuals or animals, causes fever, muscle aches, and characteristic large, boil-like skin lesions. As the global response to mpox intensifies, China’s border screening measures are a significant step towards preventing further spread and protecting its population from the virus.
