China tightens checks on arrivals

China announced Friday, August 16, that it was strengthening its controls on people and goods likely to have been in contact with MPOX, following the World Health Organization (WHO)’s alert regarding this disease. People from countries or regions affected by MPOX and “who have been exposed to cases” of illness or who “show symptoms” must “take the initiative to declare yourself to customs” upon their arrival in China, Chinese customs announced in a statement.

“Customs officers will take medical measures and conduct sampling and testing in accordance with procedures.”they said. In addition, transport vehicles, containers or goods coming from affected areas “and which are contaminated or are likely to have been contaminated” must be disinfected, according to the statement. These measures are in place from Friday and will last for six months.

MPOX, formerly known as monkeypox, is a viral disease that spreads from animals to humans. It is also transmitted through close physical contact with a person infected with the virus. It is characterized by pustules and fever.

Pakistan reported its first case of MPOS, while Sweden reported on Thursday the first case of a more contagious and dangerous variant of MPOS, the disease that has killed at least 548 people since the beginning of the year in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the worst-affected country. The WHO said more imported cases of MPOS were likely to be detected in Europe soon. It had on Wednesday raised its highest level of international alert in the face of a resurgence of cases on the African continent.