ISLAMABAD: In response to rising Mpox cases globally, particularly in African countries, and the recent outbreak of Zika virus in Pune, India, the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) has issued an alert to Border Health Services, urging strict surveillance at all entry points, National Institute of Health (NIH) officials said on Wednesday.
At an emergency meeting on Wednesday, the NCOC urged Border Health Services to maintain strict vigil at all entry points.
It also alerted all provincial health departments to remain vigilant and monitor possible outbreaks of vector-borne diseases such as Zika, dengue and chikungunya.
These viruses, transmitted by mosquitoes present in Pakistan, pose a significant threat, especially during the current monsoon season, when accumulated rainwater creates ideal conditions for breeding.
“A rise in Mpox cases has been observed in several countries, including those in Africa, while a rise in Zika virus cases has been reported in Pune, India. NCOC is closely monitoring the situation and has advised Border Health Services (BHS) to screen international travellers for Mpox and Zika virus at all airports and entry points,” an NIH official said. The news.
Last year, Pakistan confirmed nine cases of Mpox, all among travellers returning from the Middle East and other countries. Tragically, one patient, who was co-infected with HIV and Mpox, later died in Islamabad.
During a special NCOC session on Mpox, it was noted that around 15 African countries are currently reporting Mpox cases, with a total of 2,030 confirmed cases. Four countries (Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda), which were previously unaffected by Mpox, have reported cases since mid-July 2024.
According to NIH officials, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported that from January 1, 2022, to June 30, 2024, a cumulative total of 99,176 laboratory-confirmed cases of Mpox, including 208 deaths, have been reported in 162 countries across all six WHO regions.
In June 2024 alone, 934 new cases were reported, the majority of which came from the African region (61%), followed by the Americas region (19%) and the European region (11%).
WHO has noted a decline in case reporting, meaning that recent trends in Mpox cases should be interpreted with caution. WHO continues to encourage all countries to ensure that Mpox is a notifiable disease and to report cases, even when no cases have been detected (known as “zero reporting”).
Regarding the Zika virus, although no official cases have been detected in Pakistan, researchers at Aga Khan University say they have identified four cases in Karachi between 2021 and 2022, indicating that the Zika virus is circulating in the city, according to NIH officials.
In neighbouring India, 81 cases, including four deaths, have been reported in Pune as of 8 August 2024. Among them, 32 cases were reported in pregnant women.
“We also have the vector, the mosquito that transmits Zika, dengue and chikungunya viruses. Given the current monsoon rains, the conditions are very conducive for the spread of Zika virus in the country. In view of this, we have alerted all the relevant authorities, provincial health departments, border health services and others to remain alert for outbreaks of vector-borne diseases,” an NIH official in Islamabad added.
