PESHAWAR: Mpox was detected in a passenger returning to Pakistan from abroad at the airport here and was shifted to the Services Hospital.
This was the 4th man who was found infected by Mpox in 2024. Incidentally, all patients came from overseas. Three hailed from KP (Mardan, Nowshera and Orakzai). Earlier, on 19th August Islamabad Airport authorities had referred a 47-year-old voyager from ME infected with Mpox, to Pims. On 16th August a 34-year-old man coming from a Gulf country was found infected with the malady.
Following the emergence of first mpox case of the current year in KP (Pakistan) the NCOC issued an advisory on 15th August apropos the malady. People have been asked to isolate the victims of mpox and to wear mask. Since April 2023, out of all the 11 Mpox patients detected in Pakistan only one died due to complications.
Islamabad Capital Territory Administration (ICT) had augmented the level of surveillance in order to ensure safety of citizens in the wake of Mpox threat. At the airport each and every voyager is being screened. In its 18.8.24 notification, government of Pakistan held:“To mitigate the risk of international spread, it is essential for all international airports in Pakistan to implement strict preventive measures.”
Meanwhile, three Pakistani zaireens (pilgrims) from Bahawalpur were held when the (mother, son, daughter) trio reached Iran via Quetta on their way to Iraq, as they were infected with Mpox.
WHO: It is pertinent to mention here that WHO has made it clear on 20th August that the outbreak of Mpox could NOT be compared with Covid-19 as much is already known about the virus and the means to control it. Still, for the second time in 2 years, WHO has declared mpox a global public health emergency.
Newspakistan.tv
