Health minister Dzulkefly Ahmad said every traveller arriving on international flights will be screened by thermal scanners.

“If the flight originates from a high-risk country or if there are symptomatic passengers, all passengers and crew will be directed to the ministry’s health screening centre near Gate C22, where further screening will be conducted.

“If anyone exhibits symptoms such as a high temperature, blistered skin or swollen glands, they will be given a health alert card and referred to the nearest healthcare facility,” he told the media after conducting an on-site inspection at KLIA Terminal 1 today.

Accompanying him were health director-general Dr Radzi Abu Hassan, public health deputy director-general Dr Norhayati Rusli, and KLIA public health specialist Dr Nasir Habib.

Dzulkefly said since Aug 16, 3.26 million travellers had been screened at all international entry points nationwide.

“To date, no positive cases have been detected,” he added, noting that 34 suspected mpox cases had been reported at healthcare facilities, of which 33 have tested negative and one is still awaiting results.

He said 30 ministry staff members are currently stationed at KLIA Terminal 1 at all times, and the ministry was prepared to increase the number of personnel if necessary.

Dzulkefly said the same screening processes were also conducted at other international entry points via land, sea and air.

Mpox was declared a public health emergency of international concern for the second time on Aug 14.

The spread of the clade IIb virus began in 2022 and continues to this day, affecting several countries in Africa.

Mpox typically spreads between humans through close contact with an infected individual.

Infection can also occur through direct close contact with rashes or lesions on the skin of a person exhibiting symptoms of mpox, or through exposure to bodily fluids during intimate relations.