On August 15, 2024, Pakistan confirmed its first Mpox case of the year. The case involved a man from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa who had recently returned from a Middle Eastern country and tested positive. The World Health Organization (WHO) had declared Mpox a global health emergency of public concern just a day before Pakistan confirmed the case.
“A young man from Dir, currently residing in Mardan, tested positive for Mpox after returning from a brotherly Arab state on August 3,” an official from the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination (NHS, R&C) told *The News*. “Provincial health authorities are now engaged in contact tracing,” the official added.
Response and Preventive Measures
In response to the confirmed case, Border Health Services (BHS) and provincial authorities have activated high alert. They have issued instructions to establish isolation wards in designated hospitals. They have also directed the stocking of antiviral medications. Additionally, they are ensuring the availability of personal protective equipment (PPE) for healthcare workers at points of entry and in healthcare facilities.
Historical Context of Mpox Cases in Pakistan
This case marks the 11th instance of Mpox in Pakistan over the past two years and the first in 2024. Last year, a patient co-infected with HIV and Mpox passed away at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad.
Intensified Monitoring
Following the detection, health officials have collected additional samples from individuals who had close contact with the patient. The Health Ministry has directed intensified monitoring at all entry points to prevent further cases from entering the country. In the past year, Pakistan had 10 confirmed Mpox cases, all linked to travelers from the Middle East and other regions. The recurrence of cases among travelers highlights the critical need for rigorous border screening and monitoring.
Global Spread and Concerns
During a special NCOC session, officials noted that around 15 African countries are currently reporting Mpox cases, with 2,030 confirmed infections. The spread to previously unaffected regions like Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda since mid-July 2024 indicates the virus’s growing reach.
This news is sourced from [The NEWS] and is for informational purposes only.
