China has announced that it will begin screening people and goods entering the country for mpox symptoms over the next six months. This decision comes just two days after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared mpox a global health emergency.
Travelers from countries experiencing mpox outbreaks, those who have been in contact with confirmed cases, or individuals displaying symptoms are encouraged to report to customs upon entering China, according to a statement from China’s customs administration. The statement also emphasized that vehicles, containers, and items coming from regions with mpox cases should undergo sanitization.
This move follows Sweden’s announcement on Thursday of the first case outside Africa of a more dangerous variant of mpox. The WHO has warned that more cases of this new strain are likely to be imported into Europe.
The WHO raised its highest level of alert regarding the worsening mpox situation in Africa, declaring it a global public health emergency. This was closely followed by the African Union’s health watchdog declaring a public health emergency due to the escalating outbreak.
Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, is an infectious disease caused by a virus that can be transmitted to humans from infected animals. Human-to-human transmission is also possible through close physical contact. The disease is characterized by symptoms such as fever, muscle aches, and large boil-like skin lesions.