Pakistan’s health authorities have confirmed the detection of the mpox virus within its borders, barely a day after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared mpox a public health emergency of international concern.
The first case was identified in a 34-year-old man from Mardan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, who had recently returned from a Middle Eastern country. Although the exact variant of the virus remains under investigation, this incident has triggered a robust response from health officials, including strict surveillance at border points and airports.
Dr. Irshad Roghani, the director of public health for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, reported that the patient exhibited mild symptoms, and contact tracing has commenced. “We are taking this very seriously,” Dr. Roghani stated, “and are ensuring that all protocols for quarantine and testing are followed to prevent further spread.”
The Pakistani health ministry has not only confirmed this case but has also reported additional cases linked to travel from the UAE, highlighting the virus’s spread through international travel.
The WHO’s recent declaration was spurred by a surge in cases, particularly in Africa. More than 14,000 cases and 524 deaths have been reported this year, with over 96% of these cases occurring in Congo. The declaration aims to mobilize international health resources and research into the virus, which has shown a more transmissible and potentially deadlier variant, known as Clade 1, linked to outbreaks in Central Africa.