Despite being in Quintana Roo, the state with the second-highest number of monkeypox infections in Mexico, Cancún International Airport has not yet implemented preventive measures against the disease. The airport has reported eight cases but has not introduced health scans for travellers, a measure already in place in the United States and Asia.
Airport security staff have confirmed they have not been informed about any plans to introduce similar measures to those used by the US Department of Homeland Security and other major global airports. These airports have a high volume of travellers and have implemented preventive scans to mitigate the spread of the disease.
Staff members are aware that European Security Committees have recommended airport operators prepare to apply preventive scans to flights arriving from Africa. However, there has been no such instruction for Cancún airport.
The airport continues to operate with its usual security protocols. The only mention of monkeypox is through sporadic announcements made over the loudspeaker. There are no health checkpoints, antibacterial gel dispensers, or mask usage suggestions in place.
Cancún airport is the second most important airport in Mexico. It operates an average of 56 airlines, offering 107 international and 26 domestic destinations, with approximately 500 daily flights.
According to the Ministry of Health in Quintana Roo, eight cases of monkeypox have been detected. The health authorities maintain a level two risk alert, which is considered low. However, state health systems are recommending that the public reinforce preventive actions.
Major US airports, including New York's JFK, Los Angeles, and Atlanta, have begun applying preventive scans to travellers arriving from African regions where the virus has been detected.
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