Strict measures demanded at Mumbai airport due to monkeypox concerns

Amid growing concerns about monkeypox, Congress MP Prithviraj Chavan urged Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde to enforce strict testing and quarantine protocols at Mumbai airport for passengers from high-risk countries.

Stressing the urgency of the matter, Chavan pointed to the World Health Organization's declaration that monkeypox is a public health emergency and that the virus is now spreading in neighbouring Pakistan. He stressed that proactive measures are needed to prevent the virus from spreading in India.

Meanwhile, the Union Health Ministry has assured that no cases of monkeypox have been reported in India so far, although precautionary measures are being taken. Despite the low risk of a large outbreak, strategies include surveillance and quarantine protocols at airports to contain potential cases.

(With contributions from agencies.)