By Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: Health authorities moved to calm public fears over mpox on Saturday, saying only one case had been reported in the country despite a World Health Organization (WHO) warning of a global health emergency.
“People need not worry as only one case was reported in the country,” Dr. Malik Mukhtar Ahmad, the prime minister’s health coordinator, told a news conference.
“The World Health Organization has not yet declared [a major] emergency situation regarding mpox, similar to what was done for Covid-19,” Ahmad said. “The virus has been found in 99,000 people worldwide… Only 200 patients have died, while all other individuals have recovered.”
There is currently no local transmission of the disease in Pakistan.
Ahmad’s comments come as the government steps up measures to contain the spread of the virus, with enhanced surveillance and screening mechanisms in place at all entry points.
Laboratories have been designated for diagnosis in all provinces and the federal capital, with a focus on monitoring travelers from Africa, America, and the Gulf, where cases have been reported.
Mpox causes flu-like symptoms and pus-filled lesions. The WHO declared the recent outbreak of the disease a public health emergency after a new offshoot of the mpox virus, first identified in the Democratic Republic of Congo, began spreading to other neighboring states.
The government has also announced precautionary measures against the disease after mpox was diagnosed in a patient in northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province who had recently returned to the country after traveling UAE.
Civil Aviation Authority has enhanced strict surveillance at domestic airports for mpox and special arrangements were made for hospitals in Islamabad and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
PM’s health coordinator acknowledged it was difficult to diagnose the disease at an early stage since its symptoms appear a bit late in patients.
He urged individuals with a travel history or symptoms to self-isolate and consult a doctor. “Symptoms can take 10-15 days to appear, and close contact can spread the infection. It is better if the patient is quarantined.”
Ahmad said the WHO had advised against mass vaccination while dealing with mpox.
“This disease is 99 percent treatable. There is no immediate risk of death, but if the affected person has comorbidities, they need to be more cautious.”
Pakistan had so far reported 11 mpox cases since last year, with only one death of a patient who suffered from HIV and had a weak immune system. The country reported its first mpox case on April 11, 2023.
Meanwhile Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday ordered enhanced effectiveness of mpox screening systems at the airports.
“Prime Minister directed border health services to maintain thorough monitoring and strict surveillance of the situation,” said a statement issued by his office.
“He also directed improving coordination with provincial governments, the government of Gilgit-Baltistan and the government of Azad Jammu and Kashmir to prevent the spread of mpox.”
“Ensure the provision of all necessary equipment and kits for mpox testing,” he was quoted as saying. “I will receive weekly briefings on Mpox.”
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