Screening against monkeypox begins at 13 Coimbatore check-posts bordering Kerala

COIMBATORE With Kerala having two confirmed cases of monkeypox, a rare zoonotic viral disease, the H

With Kerala having two confirmed cases of monkeypox, a rare zoonotic viral disease, the Health and Revenue Departments have started screening passengers at 13 check-posts along Tamil Nadu – Kerala border in Coimbatore district.

Screening of passengers started at Walayar check-post, the major gateway between Tamil Nadu and Kerala via Coimbatore district, on Monday night. Screening at check-posts on other 12 inter-State routes started on Tuesday evening.

Coimbatore District Collector is closely monitoring the precautionary measures through Revenue and Health Department officials.

P. Aruna, Deputy Director of Health Services, said a three-member team consisting of a health inspector, an official from the Revenue Department and a policeman/policewoman will screen passengers at the check-posts in three shifts.

“They will check whether any commuter has symptoms of monkeypox, mainly fever with skin rashes. If anyone is found with the symptom, the person will be isolated immediately,” she said.

Sample from persons with suspected symptoms would have to be sent to the National Institute of Virology in Pune, the official said.

Three health inspectors will screen international passengers at the Coimbatore International Airport. They screen passengers who arrive from two international destinations - Sharjah and Singapore.