Monkeypox fears mount as Govt. allows visa free access to 35 countries

• Surveillance at airports, seaports ramped up

By Sheain Fernandopulle

The government’s recent decision to allow visa-free entry for citizens of 35 countries has sparked serious concerns amid an uptick in Monkeypox cases in several of these nations.   

Most of the reported cases globally so far involve individuals with a travel history to countries with significantly higher case numbers.   

According to reports, Thailand which is one of the countries that has been granted the visa-free facility has detected a Monkeypox case in a European man who arrived from Africa last week and is awaiting test results to determine the strain.   

Speaking to Daily Mirror, a senior health official said the local health authorities have alerted relevant officials to heighten monitoring at airports and seaports given the global situation.  

This also follows the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recent decision to declare the infectious disease a public health emergency of international concern.   

While contingency measures are in place, the official stressed that Medical Research Institute is equipped with the facility to test Monkeypox cases.   

There hasn’t been major increase in cases in Sri Lanka over the past years. However, the Ministry is taking steps for extra-vigil.   

According to the WHO, Monkeypox is usually a self-limited disease with symptoms lasting for two to four weeks. It typically manifests itself with fever, rash and swollen lymph nodes and may lead to a range of medical complications.