China announced on Friday that it will start screening people and goods entering the country for mpox over the next six months. This decision follows the World Health Organization’s declaration of mpox as a global health emergency just two days earlier.
Travelers from countries with active outbreaks, those who have been in contact with mpox cases, or those showing symptoms are advised to report to customs upon arrival. Additionally, vehicles, containers, and items from affected regions will need to be sanitized.
On Thursday, Sweden reported the first case of a more dangerous variant of mpox outside Africa. The WHO has warned that more cases of this new strain could appear in Europe.
The WHO’s global health emergency declaration came after the African Union’s health body also declared a public health emergency due to the worsening situation. Mpox, previously known as monkeypox, has spread from the Democratic Republic of Congo, where it was first identified in humans in 1970, to other countries.
Mpox is caused by a virus transmitted from infected animals to humans and can also spread through close human contact. Symptoms include fever, muscle aches, and large, boil-like skin lesions.
