Despite the spread of mpox (monkeypox) in several countries, no precautionary measures have been taken at Dinajpur’s Hili International Land Port to check for the virus.

Hundreds of people use the land port to travel to neighboring India, Nepal, and Bhutan from Bangladesh, and residents of those countries also use it regularly, raising concerns about the need for immediate measures to prevent the virus's spread.

Local health officials highlighted that common symptoms of mpox include fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, weakness, swollen lymph nodes, and skin rashes or lesions. They advised anyone experiencing these symptoms or who has come into contact with an infected person to seek medical attention at the local health complex.

They also mentioned that measures will be taken if directives are received from the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).

Frequent travelers through the checkpoint, such as Saiful Islam and Sanchita Rani, expressed concerns that people from various countries pass through this port, emphasizing the need for precautionary measures due to the virus’s potential for rapid human-to-human transmission.

The DGHS has stated that effective measures are in place to prevent the spread of mpox in the country. However, Officer-in-Charge (OC) Sheikh Ashraful of the Hili Immigration Checkpoint confirmed that they have not yet received directives from the DGHS.

Ashraful added that they learned about the mpox virus via social media and are staying alert until further instructions are received.

The mpox virus was first detected in the Democratic Republic of Congo in Africa and has since spread to several central and eastern African countries, including Burundi, Uganda, Rwanda, Sweden, and Kenya. On August 16, a case of mpox was identified in Pakistan.