Pakistan has recently reported a new case of mpox, raising the total number of cases to three since August 14, when the World Health Organization (WHO) declared it an international emergency, reported The Dawn. Here’s a detailed overview of the situation:
Overview of Recent Cases
Case Details
| Location | City | Arrival | Health Status | Additional Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peshawar | Bacha Khan International Airport | Returned from Saudi Arabia | Isolated at Services Hospital | 51-year-old from Orakzai district, had performed Umrah |
| Karachi | Jinnah International Airport | Returned from Jeddah | Admitted to Sindh Infectious Diseases Hospital | Patient with rashes and red lesions, results pending |
Testing and Isolation
- Peshawar Case:
- Patient’s samples were analyzed at the Public Health Reference Lab (PHRL) at Khyber Medical University.
- Positive result confirmed, with the patient isolated at Services Hospital.
- Contact tracing is underway to prevent local transmission.
- Karachi Case:
- Patient admitted to Sindh Infectious Diseases Hospital and Research Centre.
- Samples sent to Dow University of Health Sciences; results expected within two days.
Government Response and Measures
- Surveillance and Monitoring:
- Prime Minister’s Coordinator on National Health Services, Dr. Malik Mukhtar Ahmad Bharath, praised the Border Health Service (BHS) for effective monitoring.
- Enhanced screening of incoming passengers to prevent local outbreaks.
- Federal and provincial governments are collaborating on vigilance and surveillance.
- Current Strain Information:
- The mpox strain in Pakistan is classified as clade IIb, known for causing milder symptoms compared to clade I.
- Clade I has been reported primarily in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with no cases of clade I in Pakistan.
Laboratory and Testing Improvements
- Local Testing Facilities:
- Increased vigilance at airports and newly established isolation facilities in KP hospitals.
- Tests now conducted locally at Khyber Medical University’s PHRL, reducing turnaround time for results.
- Strengthening of the laboratory to handle mpox and other diseases, with training provided to operators across 12 labs in KP.
- Laboratory Developments:
- Khyber Medical University (KMU) has enhanced its laboratory capabilities.
- The labs, originally set up during the Covid-19 peak, are now utilized for mpox and other virus detection.
Mpox Disease Overview
According to the National Institute of Health, mpox is an infectious disease spread through close contact. It typically presents with flu-like symptoms and skin lesions filled with pus.
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