Prime Minister orders increased vigilance against MPOX amid threat of global epidemic

ISLAMABAD:

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday asked authorities to maintain strict vigil against the spread of monkeypox (MPOX) after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared its outbreak a public health emergency of international concern.

At a high-level meeting on measures to curb the spread of the MPO virus, the Prime Minister stressed the need for effective screening at airports, seaports and borders. He also asked border health services to keep the situation under close surveillance.

Prime Minister Sharif directed the National Command and Operations Centre (NCOC) to remain on alert, conduct daily assessments of the situation and ensure the availability of equipment and testing kits needed to detect the mpox virus.

The meeting was attended by key officials including Prime Minister’s Coordinator for National Health Dr Malik Mukhtar Ahmad Bharath, Federal Secretary National Health Nadeem Mehboob and National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Chairman Lt Gen Inam Haider Malik and other senior officials, according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office.

The Prime Minister also called for better coordination between the provincial governments and the governments of Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir. He stressed the importance of launching a massive awareness campaign and said he would receive weekly briefings on the MPOX situation.

The authorities informed the meeting that a case of MPOX had been detected in Mardan district. The patient, who had recently returned to Pakistan after a stay abroad, has been quarantined and his health condition is stable.

The meeting participants were assured that no local transmission of MPO had been detected in Pakistan. Following the WHO declaration of 14 August, the NCOC issued a national advisory and necessary instructions were disseminated.

The federal and provincial governments have launched awareness campaigns and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is monitoring flights from abroad. Isolation wards and beds have been allocated in major hospitals by the provincial governments, Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir and the Islamabad Capital Territory administration in anticipation of possible cases of MPOX.

All precautionary measures are currently in place, it was clarified during the meeting.

Enhanced surveillance and screening of MPOX

Meanwhile, Prime Minister’s Coordinator for Health Dr Malik Mukhtar Ahmad announced that the government has come up with a comprehensive strategy to protect the population from monkeypox virus (MPOX).

Speaking at a press conference, Dr Ahmad assured the public that there was no need to be alarmed as only one case of mpox has been reported in Pakistan so far.

He stressed that surveillance and screening measures have been implemented at all airports and entry points in the country to monitor potential cases. Dr Ahmad said laboratories in provinces including the federal capital have been designated for the diagnosis of mpox.

He added that people coming from Africa, America and Gulf countries, where MPOX cases have been reported, will be closely monitored.

Dr. Ahmad stressed that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the federal and provincial authorities have made the prevention of mpox a common priority. The Ministry of Health is continuously monitoring the situation on a daily basis and the government is closely following the developments related to the virus.

To ensure a coordinated response, Dr Ahmad said the ministry is in constant communication with provincial health departments. He stressed that, in line with the Prime Minister’s directives, a daily assessment meeting is held to assess the situation and implement necessary measures.

He urged the public to take precautions, especially if they or their family members have recently travelled to the affected areas and are experiencing symptoms of MPOX. Dr Mukhtar Ahmad added that in such a situation, one should contact a qualified doctor and follow his instructions in case of such symptoms.

Dr Ahmad provided further details on the global situation, noting that approximately 99,000 people worldwide have contracted MPOX, with 200 deaths reported.

He explained that symptoms usually take 10 to 15 days to appear and that prolonged contact with an infected person increases the risk of transmission.

He recommended that patients be quarantined and treated with fever-reducing medication.