A suspected Mpox (formerly known as Monkeypox) has been reported in Pakistan for the first time. The patient is a resident of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province who had recently returned from a Gulf country.
Confirmation Sample Sent to NIH First Suspected
They have sent samples from the victim to the National Institute of Health (NIH) for testing and confirmation. According to health officials, the patient only shows mild symptoms of Mpox. In addition, the authorities have initiated contact tracing in response to this eventuality to identify. And test those who might have come into contact with this virus. Moreover, further samples are being taken from these individuals for additional tests.
Nationwide Guidelines Released First Suspected
To address the issue at hand, the Ministry of National Health Services asked all provinces to develop focal persons, especially for monitoring and managing Mpox cases. It also instructed Border Health Services to tighten surveillance at all entry points into the country. Including airports and border crossings. This move is meant to curb the spread of the virus among international travelers.
High Alert in Punjab
Punjab Health Department has put a high alert across the province regarding pox because it’s a suspect case. According to the Director General of Health Services Punjab, every hospital within the province should establish standard operating procedures (SOPs) for managing and handling potential monkeypox cases. Caseospitals must immediately obtain samples from patients suspected of having contracted an infection and forward them for analysis in designated labs; if any case tested positive, a detailed outbreak report must be submitted promptly to the health department.
Coordination with Airport Authorities
Punjab’s Director General Health Services also expressed that utmost communication should be maintained between District Health Authorities and airport administrations throughout the province. This coordination is crucial in monitoring travelers from areas where there may be an outbreMonkeypoxkeypox so that possibly affected people can be identified quickly when they arrive here and adequately managed.
