Pakistan has reported its first mpox case of 2024 after a 34-year-old man from Mardan, who returned from Saudi Arabia, tested positive for the virus, as per reports.
The Ministry of Health confirmed that the man arrived in Pakistan on August 3 and developed symptoms shortly after reaching Peshawar. The diagnosis was verified by Khyber Medical University on August 13.
Health officials have started contact tracing to identify and monitor those who were in close contact with the patient, including fellow passengers on his flight from Saudi Arabia.
Earlier in 2023 three passengers were diagnosed with mpox (earlier known as monkeypox) at Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport.
The Director General of Health stated that all three were Pakistani citizens aged between 30 and 45 and were admitted to an infectious disease hospital.
Mpox remains a significant global health issue, with the World Health Organisation (WHO) reporting 99,518 cases and 208 deaths across 122 countries.
The virus spreads through close contact and presents symptoms such as fever, rash, and body aches, typically lasting 2 to 4 weeks. Despite the spread, the WHO notes that 99 per cent of those infected survive.
In Pakistan, 11 cases have been reported since April 2023, with one resulting in death.
The National Institute of Health has issued an advisory outlining guidelines for managing and preventing the spread of monkeypox, urging continued vigilance and public health monitoring.
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