Three Monkeypox Cases Reported in Pakistan Amid Global Health Emergency

Pakistan has reported three cases of monkeypox, marking a significant development in the ongoing global health crisis. The cases, all detected in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, have been linked to individuals who recently traveled from an Arab country. The National Health Ministry confirmed the cases on Friday, following heightened surveillance at airports across the nation.

The initial patient, a man from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, tested positive for the virus after returning from Gulf countries. The National Institute of Health is conducting further tests to confirm the diagnosis. The affected individual exhibited mild symptoms, and authorities are tracing contacts to collect additional samples.

In response to the situation, the Border Health Services have been instructed to enforce strict monitoring at all entry points. The ministry has also issued preventive advisories and directed the establishment of isolation wards in hospitals. Antiviral medications and personal protective equipment (PPE) are being stocked to protect healthcare workers.

The monkeypox outbreak has now reached 122 countries, with 99,518 confirmed cases and 208 deaths globally. This is Pakistan’s first reported case of monkeypox in 2024, following a previous record of 10 cases in 2023, all linked to travelers from the Middle East.

The World Health Organization declared monkeypox a global health emergency a day before Pakistan’s confirmation, emphasizing the need for international cooperation and rigorous border screening to curb the spread of the virus.