KP reports first case of monkeypox

PESHAWAR
The first case of mpox in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has been confirmed in a patient from Mardan district, with minor symptoms, and has been quarantined at home.
Director Public Health KP, Dr. Irshad Roghani has confirmed that the suspected case was reported from the Mardan district of KP, adding that “health authorities are conducting contact tracing, diagnosing those who have been in contact with the patient, and setting up isolation wards for suspected mpox patients.”
He said that health teams have been deployed at international airports, including Peshawar Airport, and teams have been activated to evaluate suspected passengers arriving from foreign countries.
“All cases in Pakhtunkhwa have been linked to travel from Gulf countries, with no local transmission reported,” he said and added that the KP health department has issued advisories for the public and medical personnel, aligning with the World Health Organization’s emergency declaration.
Dr. Irshad Roghani furthered that surveillance and preventive measures were being intensified to curb the mpox epidemic in the province.
According to data issued by the provincial health department so far three cases of mpox have been confirmed in Pakhtunkhwa since 2022, and two previously recovered cases.
KP health minister Syed Qasim Ali Shah has expressed grave concern over the confirmed mpox case in Mardan, directing the health department to take swift and effective measures to prevent the disease’s spread.
The minister instructed Director Public Health, Dr. Irshad Roghani, to prioritize the overall surveillance system in the province, initiate contact tracing and a comprehensive monitoring of the patient’s movements.
In view of mpox surge in Africa, On August 15, the World Health Organization declared a global public health emergency.
According to advisory issued by the National Institute of Health (NIH), Islamabad, “ Mpox is a rare viral zoonotic disease that is caused by infection with Mpox virus.” There are two types of mpox virus: clad I (Congo Basin) and Clade II (West Africa).
It said that the disease often begins with a fever, followed by a rash that typically starts on the face before spreading to other parts of the body.
NIH advisory maintained that some outbreaks of the mpox have killed up to 10 percent of the people who get sick, although more recent outbreaks have had lower death rates. Clade I is endemic to Central Africa and Clade II is the type that has been involved in global outbreak since 2002. Additionally, border health services teams have been deployed at the Pak-Afghan border and airports to screen incoming passengers, particularly those showing symptoms.
The government’s prompt response aims to contain the outbreak and prevent further spread of the disease. Citizens are advised to remain vigilant and report any suspected cases to the authorities immediately.