Two additional cases of mpox, also known as monkeypox, have been detected in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, bringing the total number of cases in Pakistan this year to three, according to the provincial health department. This development follows the confirmation of the country’s first mpox case of 2024, which was reported just a day earlier, prompting swift action from health authorities.
The confirmation of these new cases has led the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) to issue an advisory outlining precautionary measures to control the spread of the virus. The NCOC’s response highlights the urgency of the situation, especially in light of the World Health Organisation (WHO) declaring the ongoing outbreak in Africa a public health emergency of international concern. The outbreak, which originated in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), has spread to neighboring countries, raising alarms globally.
Salim Khan, the Director General of Health Services in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, confirmed that two of the three suspected patients in the province have tested positive for mpox. The third patient’s samples have been sent to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Islamabad for confirmation. All three patients are currently in quarantine to prevent further transmission of the virus.
The provincial health department revealed that the viral infection was detected in these patients upon their arrival from the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The connection to international travel emphasizes the importance of monitoring incoming travelers, especially from regions where the virus is more prevalent.
A spokesperson for Pakistan’s national health ministry noted that the country has identified one suspected mpox case, emphasizing that the patient had also recently returned from a Gulf country. However, the health ministry clarified that no new variant of the mpox virus has been detected in Pakistan. This comes amid global concerns about the emergence of new strains, with a new variant recently confirmed in Sweden and linked to the ongoing outbreak in Africa.
Mpox, caused by the monkeypox virus, is a viral infection that can lead to severe symptoms, including a painful rash, enlarged lymph nodes, and fever. In some cases, it can result in serious illness, particularly in vulnerable populations such as children and individuals with weakened immune systems. The WHO’s website provides detailed information on the disease.
Globally, the situation remains dire, particularly in the DRC, where the current outbreak has been ongoing since January 2023. As of now, over 27,000 cases have been reported, with more than 1,100 deaths, most of which have occurred among children. This year alone, 548 people have died from the disease in the DRC, underscoring the virus’s lethal potential.
The detection of new cases in Pakistan has sparked concerns about the possibility of a broader outbreak in the region. Health officials are on high alert, monitoring the situation closely and implementing measures to prevent further spread. As the global community grapples with the challenges posed by the mpox virus, Pakistan’s health authorities are working diligently to protect public health and prevent the situation from escalating.
Read the blog: What is Mpox and How Dangerous is it?
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