Govt urges citizens 'not to panic' as mpox surveillance ramped up

ISLAMABAD: After confirmation of first Monekypox (mpox) case in Pakistan, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday ordered to enhance the effectiveness of screening systems with his Coordinator on National Health Services Dr Mukhtar Ahmad saying not to panic as mortality rate of the virus was low.

Addressing a press conference, the PM’s coordinator said that the virus was detected in 99,000 people in the world of which only 200 patients died and the rest recovered. “There is no need to be panic as only one case of mpox has been detected in Pakistan.”

Giving details of the first case, Ahmad said that the person – who tested positive for the virus in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) – recently returned from the Gulf region. Following the confirmation, he said the authorities concerned isolated the family members of the affected person.

“The government has formulated a comprehensive strategy to protect the citizens from the virus,” Dr Ahmad said, adding that surveillance and screening are in place at all airports and points of entry.

In the provinces including the federal capital, he noted, laboratories are allocated for diagnosing Mpox. Ahmad said travellers coming from Africa, the United States (US) and the Gulf countries will undergo screening.

He said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Centre and the provinces have taken steps on a priority basis to stop the potential spread of the disease.

The PM's aide said that the Ministry of Health is ensuring continuous monitoring daily and the government is closely monitoring the situation.

Dr Mukhtar said that the ministry is in full contact with the provinces and on the instructions of the prime minister a meeting is being held on a daily basis.

He urged the people to isolate themselves at home if their family has a travel history or Mpox symptoms. “In such a situation contact a qualified doctor and follow the doctor’s instructions in case of having any such symptoms.”

He said that symptoms may take 10 to 15 days to appear and spending too much time with the patient can spread it. “It is better if the patient is quarantined,” he said, adding that fever medicines are used for Mpox.

On the other hand, PM Shehbaz Sharif chaired an emergency meeting on monkeypox after a first patient was diagnosed with the disease in KP.

Speaking during the meeting, the prime minister said the World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared mpox a global public health emergency. He stressed the need for strict monitoring to prevent the spread of the virus.

The premier directed the authorities concerned to ensure surveillance and screening at all airports, ports and borders. He directed the Border Health Services (BHS) to ensure thorough monitoring and stringent surveillance of the situation.

Mpox is a viral disease related to the now-eradicated smallpox virus and can spread through any close contact and contaminated materials like sheets, clothing and needles, according to WHO.

A new form of the virus has triggered global concern because it seems to spread more easily through routine close contact. A case of the new variant was confirmed on Thursday in Sweden and linked to a growing outbreak in Africa, the first sign of its spread outside the continent.