Pakistan’s tally of mpox cases has increased to five, with the latest case being confirmed in an air passenger at Peshawar airport, health officials reported on Saturday. Dr. Irshad Ali, Director of Public Health in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, stated that airport medical personnel identified two travelers returning from Jeddah who were displaying symptoms consistent with mpox on Thursday. Out of the two, a 51-year-old man from Orakzai was confirmed to have the virus. The patient, currently in stable condition, has been transferred to Police and Services Hospital Peshawar for treatment.
Health Authorities on High Alert
“We are closely monitoring the situation and have implemented all necessary measures to control the spread,” Dr. Irshad assured the public, emphasizing the government’s proactive approach to managing the outbreak.
Suspected Mpox Case in Karachi
Meanwhile, in Karachi, a 32-year-old individual has been admitted to a designated hospital after showing symptoms consistent with mpox, including a maculopapular rash across his body. The patient had recently traveled from Jeddah to Karachi, raising concerns of a potential new case. A spokesperson from the Karachi health department stated, “We are treating this case with the utmost seriousness and are prepared for all possible outcomes.”
No Local Transmission Detected Yet
Despite the rise in cases, officials have confirmed that no locally transmitted cases have been recorded so far. The authorities are focused on preventing the spread of the virus within the country.
Precautionary Measures and Screening
In response to the growing number of cases, Pakistan has implemented stringent screening protocols at airports, especially for travelers returning from regions with reported mpox cases. Laboratories across all provinces and the federal capital have been equipped for diagnosis, ensuring that any new cases are swiftly identified and managed.
Earlier Cases and Government Response
The first reported case of mpox in Pakistan came from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) on August 19, involving a 47-year-old resident who had recently returned from Jeddah. Before this, three cases were reported from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. All the patients affected by mpox had recently returned from abroad, prompting the government to enhance monitoring of travelers from Africa, America, and the Gulf countries.
Global Concern Over Mpox
Mpox, previously known as monkeypox, is a viral disease that spreads through close contact. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the recent outbreak a public health emergency of international concern on August 14 after identifying a new variant of the virus.
Pakistan’s health authorities are on high alert, working diligently to contain the virus and protect the population from further spread. With comprehensive screening and monitoring systems in place, the government remains committed to managing the outbreak effectively.