• Government has announced that all ports of entry will begin implementing screening processes for Monkeypox (MPOX).
• In recent weeks the total number of recorded cases in the country has risen to 13.
• Parts of the screen will include form-based declarations of health and thermal checks for body temperature.

Earlier this month we reported on the outbreak of Monkeypox (MPOX) in South Africa, with the total number of recorded cases at the time sitting at five, and one fatality. In the weeks since, the number of cases has risen to 13, according to the National Department of Health (NDoH), which has prompted government to begin taking measures.

To that end, it will be implementing new screening processes at all ports of entry for the country to identify any signs of Monkeypox for those coming into South Africa.

More specifically the Commissioner of the Border Management Authority, Dr Michael Masiapato, has outlined the plan that the entity has developed in order to better identify and track the outbreak locally.

The first element will involve any modes of transport that people visiting South Africa will take, with airplanes in particular being mentioned.

“The Border Management Authority is implementing screening processes for travellers entering the country at all ports of entry. Commissioner Masiapato has highlighted that in the airports, the first phase of screening occurs when the conveyance operator which is the captain of the aircraft and crew members provide a general declaration of health,” government shared in a press statement.

“This is a document that is required to be completed by all conveyance operators where they declare that no travellers have reported or were found to be ill on board. This is in terms of International Health Regulations,” it added.

The next aspect is a little more thorough, with travellers being subjected to thermal screening to check their temperature.

The Border Management Authority notes that this screening of temperature is implemented at land and seaports as well, and many recent travellers will know it is a system that has been in place for some time, but now increased vigilance will reportedly be implemented.

“Should the traveller present with an elevated temperature, such traveller will be isolated and assisted with further screening. This will involve interviews to establish experiencing of other symptoms. The BMA Port health officer will also conduct their own general and non-invasive observation of the traveller under investigation,” the release explained.

“BMA Port Health officers are well trained to be vigilant to observe for any lesions and other symptoms during their operations at the Ports. In any incident, should there be a case presented to the BMA that would need further referral to a health facility, arrangements have been made with ambulance services from the Department of Health for referral to healthcare facilities. We are also in close collaboration with the communicable disease facilities in the districts in order to respond swiftly and ensure immediate reporting of any suspected traveller that meets the MPOX disease symptom profile,” commissioner Masiapato reassured.

As noted previously in our reporting, while Monkeypox can prove fatal if not detected early enough, it is treatable. It is also not highly transmissible, despite what some misinformation on social media is saying.

“BMA port health officials have also elevated the focus to be on health education and awareness to travellers. At this stage there have been no incidents of MPOX suspicions detected in the ports of entry thus far,” he concluded.

[Image – Photo by Icarus Chu on Unsplash]