ISLAMABAD: An investigation has been initiated following an incident where a patient with mpox reportedly went undetected at Islamabad International Airport.
According to reports, the health ministry is examining how the mpox patient, who arrived from a Gulf country on September 7, managed to travel to Peshawar without being screened. The Ministry of Health has decided to meet with the patient for further investigation. Officials noted that the patient showed no visible symptoms such as facial rashes or fever at the time of arrival.
There are concerns that the Border Health Services staff may have been negligent in detecting the patient’s condition. Contact tracing is now underway for those who traveled with the patient.
Additionally, there is discussion about relocating the Border Health Services headquarters from Karachi to Islamabad to enhance oversight.
It is important to note that Pakistan has reported a fifth case of monkeypox in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. The 33-year-old patient from Peshawar tested positive for monkeypox at Khyber Teaching Hospital after returning from Saudi Arabia on September 7. The individual is currently isolated at home in Lower Dir.
In response to the rising cases of mpox, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has issued an urgent advisory regarding an unprecedented global outbreak of monkeypox. The advisory provides a detailed overview of the current situation and offers guidance on prevention, detection, and response strategies. Health authorities, healthcare providers, and public health organizations are urged to strengthen surveillance, improve diagnostic capabilities, and implement effective preventive measures. The public is advised to stay informed, practice good hygiene, and seek medical attention if symptoms develop.
