Summary:

Pakistan has confirmed its first case of Mpox, prompting Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to order enhanced screening and surveillance.
The affected individual, who recently returned from the Gulf region, has been isolated along with their family.
The government has increased monitoring at airports and points of entry and is working closely with provinces to prevent further spread.

Pakistan has confirmed its first case of Mpox, a viral disease related to smallpox, leading Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to take immediate action to bolster the country’s screening and surveillance systems. The case was identified in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with the patient having recently traveled from the Gulf region. Authorities have promptly isolated the patient’s family members and intensified monitoring at all major entry points, including airports.

Dr. Mukhtar Ahmad, the Prime Minister’s Coordinator on National Health Services, reassured the public that the virus has a low mortality rate, with only 200 deaths reported out of 99,000 global cases. He emphasized that there is no need for panic, as the virus is generally manageable with proper precautions. The Health Ministry is actively coordinating with provincial authorities to ensure comprehensive coverage, including specific screening measures for travelers from high-risk regions such as Africa, the United States, and the Gulf countries.

Prime Minister Sharif emphasized the need for strict monitoring to curb the virus’s spread, directing the Border Health Services to implement rigorous surveillance. Mpox, which can be transmitted through close contact and contaminated materials, has recently raised global concern due to its increasing ease of spread. In response, Pakistan’s government is prioritizing public health measures and ongoing communication with provincial health departments to address the situation effectively.

The government urges anyone with Mpox symptoms or recent travel history to isolate themselves and seek medical advice. As symptoms may take 10 to 15 days to appear, timely isolation and consultation with healthcare professionals are crucial to controlling the outbreak and preventing further spread of the disease.