Pakistan’s health authorities have confirmed a fourth suspected case of monkeypox, raising concerns about the spread of the disease in the country. The latest patient, a 47-year-old resident of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, recently returned from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and was admitted to Islamabad’s Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) with symptoms consistent with monkeypox.
Dr. Nasim Akhtar, the hospital’s focal person, confirmed that the patient is currently in a special ward designated for monkeypox cases at PIMS. This news follows the confirmation of three previous cases in the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province, indicating the potential for wider transmission.
In response to the growing concern, Pakistan’s government has announced a comprehensive policy to combat the spread of monkeypox. This policy includes increased surveillance at all airports, seaports, and land borders, as well as the allocation of laboratories for diagnosis in all provinces and the federal capital.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, recognizing the seriousness of the situation, chaired a meeting on monkeypox and ordered strict vigilance to prevent its spread. He emphasized the need for effective screening measures at all points of entry, instructing Border Health Services to closely monitor the situation.
The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the recent monkeypox outbreak a public health emergency of international concern on Wednesday. This declaration highlights the global concern over the spread of the virus, which has been particularly severe in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where at least 27,000 cases and over 1,100 deaths, mainly among children, have been reported since January 2022.
Monkeypox, formerly known as monkeypox, is a viral disease that can spread through close contact with infected individuals or animals. While the disease is generally mild, it can cause serious illness in some cases, particularly in individuals with weakened immune systems. The current outbreak has been attributed to a new variant of the virus.
With the confirmation of additional cases in Pakistan, the government’s comprehensive strategy, including increased surveillance and border control measures, is crucial to effectively mitigate the spread of monkeypox within the country.
