Health Ministry Confirms Two Monkeypox Cases in Pakistan!
by Omama Anwar
SHARES
Pakistan has confirmed its first two cases of monkeypox in individuals who recently traveled to the country from abroad, according to the Ministry of National Health Services Regulations and Coordination. The announcement was made on Tuesday, sparking concerns among health officials and the public.
Health Ministry confirms two monkeypox cases detected in Pakistan https://t.co/VZCQ14WIcy pic.twitter.com/4yBRDVTE3W
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Health Ministry officials have confirmed that two individuals who arrived in Pakistan on April 17 from Saudi Arabia were carriers of monkeypox. One of the individuals had exhibited symptoms of the disease while still in Saudi Arabia and the other one was having monkeypox symptoms on the flight. Both were tested upon arrival in Pakistan.
The two individuals, whose identities have been kept confidential, were on the same flight, and one had been deported from Saudi Arabia. According to officials, the infected individuals are residents of either Rawalpindi or Islamabad, and their relatives are currently undergoing screening and have been advised to stay in quarantine to prevent further spread of the virus. Additionally, authorities have commenced contact tracing efforts.
The person deported from Saudi Arabia has been transferred to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences in Islamabad, while the other individual is under quarantine at home. Fortunately, both are reported to be in stable condition.
The officials have also reported that airports across the country have been placed on high alert following the detection of the virus. Furthermore, the Ministry of National Health Services has sent samples of suspected patients to the National Institute of Health for testing.
Monkeypox, also known as mpox, is a viral illness caused by the monkeypox virus, which is a species of the Orthopoxvirus genus.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the common symptoms of mpox include a skin rash or mucosal lesions, which can last for 2-4 weeks and are often accompanied by fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, low energy, and swollen lymph nodes.
The disease can be transmitted to humans through physical contact with infected individuals, contaminated materials, or infected animals. Prevention measures include avoiding contact with infected animals and thoroughly washing hands with soap and water.
The health ministry has urged the public to remain vigilant and to report any suspected cases to the authorities immediately.
