Authorities in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand, among others in the region, have established precautionary measures at borders against the import of mpox from abroad, following the World Health Organization’s (WHO) declaration of mpox a global public health emergency on August 14.
A WHO statement cited a surge in cases of the new mpox clade 1b strain in Congo, Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda.
Singapore started from August 23 temperature and visual screening at both air and sea checkpoints. The city-state does not have direct flights between Singapore and any country with an mpox outbreak, stated the health ministry. National Centre for Infectious Diseases, National University Hospital, and KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital are prepared to handle infected patients.
In Johor, the Malaysian state bordering Singapore, health authorities have stepped up public health screening activities at all international checkpoints – Bangunan Sultan Iskandar Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ), Sultan Abu Bakar Complex CIQ, Senai International Airport, and international ferry terminals.
Malaysia’s Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Terminal 1 has also tightened screening procedures. While most travellers and crew will pass through thermal scanners, those arriving from high-risk country – or those showing symptoms of illness – will undergo more thorough screening at a centre near gate C22.
Malaysian health minister Dzulkefly Ahmad said symptoms to watch for include high temperature, blistered skin, or swollen glands. People with these symptoms would be given a health alert card and referred to the nearest healthcare facility.
In Thailand, authorities now require people travelling from high-risk areas to register in the Thai Health Pass system, which will collect entry and exit dates and times to aid contact tracing where necessary.
International arrivals at Indonesia’s major ports of entry such as Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, Jakarta and I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport Bali will pass through thermal scanners and are required to fill out an online health declaration form. Symptomatic passengers will undergo checks in a private facility upon arrival.
During a press conference earlier this week, Singapore health minister Ong Ye Kung emphasised that “Mpox is a troublesome virus which we can manage”.
He noted that the new mpox strain was less transmissible than respiratory viruses such as influenza and Covid-19. An mpox infected person can spread it to an average of 1.3 persons, while the rate of infection is five for Covid-19 (Omicron) and 10 for measles.
As such, Ong said the state of disruption resulting from Covid-19 would unlikely occur with mpox.
