Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif has directed the health department to take preventive measures and strict surveillance to prevent the spread of Mpox in Pakistan.
The prime minister approved these directives while chairing an emergency meeting today to discuss the growing Mpox concerns in the country. The meeting was also attended by senior health officials from the health department and other departments.
Speaking on the occasion, Prime Minister Shehbbaz said the World Health Organization (WHO) has also declared a public health emergency in the wake of Mpox.
The Prime Minister directed the relevant authorities to make the screening system effective at airports, seaports and borders. The Prime Minister also directed the Border Health Services to maintain strict surveillance and constant monitoring of the situation.
He also gave instructions to launch an effective and comprehensive awareness campaign in this regard.
Furthermore, Prime Minister Shehbaz directed the National Command and Operations Centre to closely monitor the Mpox situation and ensure the availability of all necessary equipment for the tests.
Participants were informed that a man from Mardan district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has tested positive for Mpox virus. The affected person has just returned to Pakistan as he was abroad for work. The affected person has been quarantined and is out of danger.
It was also reported that there is no local transmission of Mpox in Pakistan.
Prime Minister Shehbaz directed all federal agencies to take preventive measures to prevent the spread of the disease. The prime minister said he would conduct weekly reports on the situation to ensure that all necessary precautions are being taken to safeguard public health.
The Prime Minister directed to enhance coordination with provincial governments, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir governments to prevent the spread of the disease.
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister's Coordinator for National Health Services Dr Mukhtar Ahmad said only one case of Mpox has been detected in Pakistan recently.
Addressing a press conference in Islamabad today, he said that the person who travelled from the Gulf region has tested positive from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He said the detection prompted swift action by the concerned authorities, who isolated the family members of the affected person.
Dr Mukhtar Ahmad said that the relevant authorities have been directed to ensure all precautionary measures at the airports and the screening process has been activated at the airports.
Dr Mukhtar Ahmad said that this virus is transmitted through contact and patients are mainly using anti-fever and pain medicines. He said that only in case of worsening of the situation are antiviral medicines given. He said that there is no need to panic as the mortality rate is low.
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