High Alert Imposed in Pakistan with Monkeypox Outburst - NIH
by Hamna Bano
SHARES
On Monday, 23 May 2022 the National Institute of Health (NIH) warned the provincial and national authorities of Pakistan to stay on high alert. This has been advised to stay vigilant if any suspected case of monkeypox is detected in Pakistan.
The Central Health Establishment, which keeps track of the entry points, was ordered to stay attentive in accordance with the alert issued in the countries where the outbreak is expected.
It was said by NIH, that “timely detection and notification were important for the prompt implementation of preventive measures, and all public and private hospitals had been directed to ensure readiness for isolation and treatment.”
With the surge in monkeypox cases in the non-endemic cases, this alert was ordered. As of now, a total of 92 cases have been confirmed while 28 suspected cases have been reported as of now. Starting from the UK, now it has spread to Spain and Canada also.
Not only in Pakistan the situation has compelled other countries to stay vigilant as well. The alert said that “the disease could be transmitted through contact with infected animals, humans or materials contaminated with the virus. The virus enters the body through broken skin, the respiratory tract or the mucous membranes like the eyes, nose or mouth.”
It was also stated that “monkeypox was a rare viral zoonotic disease that was caused by infection with the monkeypox virus. Although the natural reservoir of monkeypox is unknown, African rodents and non-human primates like monkeys may harbor the virus and infect people.”
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister of Punjab Hamza Shehbaz Sharif also has issued orders to the provincial health department to stay watchful of any new case of monkeypox.
منکی پوکس مرض کے پھیلاؤ کاخدشہ،وزیراعلیٰ پنجاب حمزہ شہباز کا صوبہ بھر میں محکمہ صحت کو چوکس رہنے کا حکم
محکمہ صحت عالمی ادارہ صحت کی وضع کردہ احتیاطی تدابیر پر عملدرآمد کو ہر قیمت پر یقینی بنائے-حمزہ شہباز
— PML(N) (@pmln_org) May 23, 2022
The CM has ordered an effective mechanism at the airports to scan the passengers while precautionary measures are being imposed in time to prevent and control the spread.
