June 7, 2022
1 min read

WHO to distribute monkeypox test kits in Afghanistan

According to officials from the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH), the Afghan health sector currently lacks kits to test for monkeypox…reports Asian Lite News

The Taliban-led government in Afghanistan announced that the World Health Organization (WHO) will provide monkeypox test kits to the the war-torn nation as the virus has been confirmed in 27 countries with nearly 800 cases.

According to officials from the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH), the Afghan health sector currently lacks kits to test for monkeypox, reports TOLO News.

“PCR machines were handed over to the MoPH during the outbreak of Covid-19 in Afghanistan. These machines cannot be used to test for monkeypox,” said Javid Hazhir, a Ministry spokesman.

So far, Afghanistan has not reported any monkeypox cases.

In its latest report on Sunday, the WHO said the 780 laboratory confirmed cases of monkeypox from 27 countries represented an increase of 523 cases (+203 per cent) since May 29, when a total of 257 cases were reported.

However, there have been no deaths associated with the current monkeypox outbreak.

Monkeypox is a sylvatic zoonosis that may cause infections in humans and the disease usually occurs in forested parts of Central and West Africa.

It is caused by the monkeypox virus which belongs to the orthopoxvirus family, according to the WHO.

ALSO READ: Baradar pledges security to businesses in Afghanistan

Previous Story

Vikram: A complete royal masterpiece from Lokesh 

Next Story

Insights on watermelons

Latest from -Top News

Trump due in Saudi, UAE amid new tariffs

The GCC bloc, which includes the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar, and Bahrain, has been hit with a 10% tariff, placing them among the lower-tiered rates US President Donald Trump has

China Says US Tariff Hikes Violate WTO Rules

China is among the hardest-hit, facing a 34 per cent levy—part of what Washington describes as reciprocal measures aimed at rebalancing trade deficits and curbing unfair trade practices China has strongly condemned

Modi Due in Sri Lanka to Cement Ties

Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Santosh Jha described the visit to island nation as “very important” and likely will set a fresh agenda for bilateral cooperation Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit

India Acts as ‘First Responder’ in Myanmar: Jaishankar

Jaishankar took the opportunity to underscore India’s swift humanitarian response, highlighting Operation Brahma, which was launched to assist those affected by the earthquake. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Thursday expressed India’s
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Afghanistan to close down Washington embassy

The Afghan diplomats in the US have been informed via

Karzai slams US plan for frozen funds

Karzai said that the international community should return the money