Bangladesh’s main port has barred shore leave to prevent the spread of monkeypox.
This is believed to be the first such order in the world as case numbers rise, and another blow to long-suffering seafarers trying to return to normal after two years of the Covid-19 pandemic.
In an emergency circular posted on 29 May, the Chittagong Port Authority Marine Department said the measure was being taken to stop the disease from spreading in Bangladesh through sea routes.
The “precautionary” move means no officer or rating will be granted a shore pass unless in an emergency and with the prior permission of the port health officer.
Vessels must inform the authority of symptomatic monkeypox cases and ship movements and cargo operations may be subject to inspection.
Monkeypox is a usually mild viral infection that is endemic in parts of the West and Central Africa.
But it can sometimes lead to more severe symptoms and even death.
Countries should take quick steps to contain the spread of monkeypox and share data about their vaccine stockpiles, a senior World Health Organization (WHO) official said at the end of May.
“We think that if we put in place the right measures now, we probably can contain this easily,” Sylvie Briand, WHO director for Global Infectious Hazard Preparedness, told the UN agency’s annual assembly.
The disease spreads mainly through close contact.
Rarely seen in Europe and US — until now
Until the recent outbreak, monkeypox was rarely seen in other parts of the world.
The emergence of recent cases in Europe, the US and other areas has raised concern over the spread.
So far, there are about 300 confirmed or suspected cases in around 20 countries where the virus was not previously circulating.
“For us, we think that the key priority currently is trying to contain this transmission in non-endemic countries,” Briand told a technical briefing for member states.
WHO is recommending early detection and isolation of cases, as well as contact tracing.
Vaccine stockpile levels are not clear.
“We don’t know exactly the number of doses available in the world and so that’s why we encourage countries to come to WHO and tell us what are their stockpiles,” Briand said.
