The health ministry has launched an investigation after a Mpox patient arriving from a Gulf country on September 7 went unnoticed at Islamabad International Airport.
Despite showing no visible symptoms, the patient traveled to Peshawar without undergoing screening. Health authorities are now probing potential negligence by the Border Health Services team.
Efforts are being made to trace other passengers who were on the same flight. Additionally, there is a proposal to move the Border Health Services headquarters from Karachi to Islamabad to improve monitoring and oversight.
This incident follows Pakistan’s confirmation of its fifth Mpox case, involving a 33-year-old resident of Peshawar who returned from Saudi Arabia on September 7.
The patient has been placed in isolation at his home in Lower Dir, according to Qasim Ali Shah.
In light of the rising Mpox cases, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has issued an urgent advisory emphasizing increased surveillance, enhanced diagnostics, and strengthened preventive measures.
The public is encouraged to stay informed, maintain proper hygiene, and seek medical care if symptoms appear.
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