A major international airport is looking to bring in stringent controls to prevent the spread of Mpox amid warnings of a potential “explosion of cases”. The European Union is on “high alert” following concerns over a new variant of Mpox. Health and environmental authorities in Spain have urged the Government to bolster checks at Barajas in Madrid, which could involve health screenings or monitoring passengers arriving from African countries most affected by the disease, as well as those who have been in contact with infected individuals.
Carlos Novillo, head of Madrid’s environment sector, has called on the Ministry of Health to “take preventive measures, especially in Barajas, an important airport that registers a large flow of travellers daily instead of just being reactive”. The World Health Organization (WHO) data indicates that around 13 countries in the Americas have reported mpox cases from different strains this year.
John Claude Udahemuka, a University of Rwanda lecturer involved in the medical response to mpox, said: “It’s undoubtedly the most dangerous of all the known strains of mpox, considering how it is transmitted, how it is spread, and also the symptoms.” “Everyone should get prepared. Everyone should be able to detect the disease as early as possible. But more important, everyone should support the local research and local response so that it doesn’t spread.”
Public Health Wales issued a statement earlier this week on their preparations in Wales. Spain is on ‘high alert’ for mpox. The airport may enforce new controls as the EU is on mpox “high alert”.
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