September 3, 2024
2 mins read

Pakistan battles Monkeypox spread with fifth case in KP

The resurgence of mpox in KP and its provincial capital Peshawar has become a serious concern for the local government and the health authorities….reports Asian Lite News

 Pakistan is struggling to tackle and contain the spread of monkeypox (mpox) in the country as Peshawar, capital of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province, reported its fifth case, prompting provincial health authorities to intensify its battle against the virus.

The latest case surfaced among patients who have recently returned from the Gulf region. The 47-year-old man has been isolated by the Border Health Services staff and shifted to the Khyber Teaching Hospital (KTH).

The resurgence of mpox in KP and its provincial capital Peshawar has become a serious concern for the local government and the health authorities.

Shabana Saleem, the Federal Director General of Health with the World Health Organization, which had earlier declared mpox as a global health emergency, has warned that the resurgence of the virus in Peshawar is a serious concern and needs urgent and immediate action to prevent further transmission.

“This is the fifth mpox case reported in Pakistan this year and the fourth since WHO declared mpox a global health emergency. There is an immediate need for vigilance, particularly among travellers from the Gulf considering that Saudi Arabia has been identified as a potential point of exposure,” said Saleem.

Health agencies are also taking urgent steps to do thorough screenings and apply screening protocols at airports across Pakistan.

“We are working in collaboration with the federal and provincial health officials in a coordinated effort to contain the virus. Authorities are working round the clock to ensure preventive measures and are ready to respond to any developments,” said a federal government official.

However, a KTH health official stated that no locally transmitted cases have been recorded thus far.

“The Health Department has established a coordinated surveillance and response system to deal with the virus. An isolation ward has been established in all districts, and Rapid Response Teams have been formed in district health offices,” said an official from the provincial health ministry.

According to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Health Department, 20,901 people have been screened at the Bacha Khan International Airport in Peshawar while another 21,040 people checked at the Torkham Crossing with Afghanistan.

At the same time, the movement of locals working in the Gulf region, including Saudi Arabia, remains consistent in the province as they visit home during holidays.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province has proved to be a massive challenge for the government and health authorities for decades as majority of the locals refuse to accept vaccinations, including polio doses, from health workers and avoid immunization campaigns. The province is one of the world’s few remaining places which still reports polio cases.

KP province, severely hit by terrorism, has also seen targeted attacks on health workers in the past, thus nullifying efforts to counter the spread of various viruses.

ALSO READ: US slams China’s aggressive actions in South China Sea 

Previous Story

Monsoon cause death, destruction in Balochistan

Next Story

‘Lanka could have faced same fate as Bangladesh’

Latest from -Top News

India-EU Trade Deal Breakthrough Soon?

Negotiators report increased momentum in discussions, which have been given a boost from US President Donald Trump’s tariff offensive…reports Asian Lite News India and the European Union aim to finalise a trade

Europe Seeks Peace in Gaza

European countries condemn Israeli interception of Gaza-bound flotilla, demand safety of citizens…reports Asian Lite News Israel’s interception of an international flotilla carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza has sparked condemnation across Europe, with

GAZA: Egypt to Host Peace Talks

Egypt hopes the discussions will help “end the war and the suffering of the brotherly Palestinian people, which has continued for two consecutive years…reports Asian Lite News Egypt will host Israeli and

‘My Injuries Made Me’

During his four-year battle with injury, the incumbent fast bowling spearhead made occasional appearances but couldn’t bear the workload and demands of red-ball cricket….reports Asian Lite News England tearaway Jofra Archer believes

Hegseth Cuts Deep

US Defense Secretary Hegseth abruptly fired Navy Chief Jon Harrison in a major Pentagon shake-up….reports Asian Lite News US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth abruptly dismissed Jon Harrison, the Navy Chief of Staff,
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Pak CII rejects Transgender Persons Act as un-Islamic

The CII has also called on the government to incorporate

Balochistan’s Valor: BNM Pays Homage in Global Events

The events were organised by BNM in Mashkay, Turbat, Gwadar,