Officials inspect surveillance mechanisms, including thermal cameras, at Phnom Penh International Airport, as part of containment measures in case of mpox cases. Supplied
As part of its concerted efforts to safeguard Cambodia against the potential importation of mpox, also known as monkeypox, the Ministry of Health has reserved a quarantine area at Phnom Penh International Airport.
The new facility is part of a broader strategy to prevent the entry of the mpox strain Clade 1b into the country.
Youk Sambath, health ministry secretary of state, led a delegation on a recent inspection tour to assess the preparedness of the quarantine facility.
“The inspection aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of current preventive measures and reinforce the country’s defences against the spread of mpox,” said a ministry statement.
The delegation was focused on ensuring that all passengers entering and exiting Cambodia are subject to rigorous health monitoring.
“The inspection included a detailed review of the airport’s surveillance mechanisms, particularly the use of thermal cameras to detect elevated body temperatures,” explained the ministry.
These systems are crucial for identifying potential mpox cases, enabling swift isolation and response by health officials.
In addition to the existing measures, the team recommended the installation of additional heat scanners and that educational materials be shared with the public.
They will include video messages and images designed to inform passengers about mpox symptoms, transmission, and prevention strategies.
The ministry’s proactive stance includes clear protocols for handling suspected cases.
Should any passenger exhibit symptoms or be suspected of carrying the virus, health officials are instructed to follow established guidelines for the immediate prevention and containment of infectious diseases.
Representatives from the Secretariat of State for Civil Aviation, the General Department of Immigration Police, the General Department of Customs and Excise of Cambodia, and the private sector were also present during the inspection.
Their participation highlights the collaborative nature of efforts to protect Cambodia from this global health threat.
Officials from the Department of Communicable Diseases (CDC) and the quarantine team at Phnom Penh International Airport also played key roles in the inspection, ensuring that all protocols are aligned and fully operational.
The enhanced measures come as Cambodia remains vigilant about the threat of mpox.
Cambodia, which reported 20 cases of mpox between 2023 and 2024 – all of which were of the less severe Clade II variant – has not yet detected any instances of the more dangerous Clade Ib strain.
