Islamabad, 23 August 2024 (TDI): Pakistan has recorded its second case of the Mpox virus (formerly known as monkeypox), Prime Minister’s Coordinator for Health Dr Malik Mukhtar Ahmad confirmed on Friday.
While speaking at PTV News, Dr Malik said the second Mpox patient was detected at the Peshawar Airport on his return from a Gulf country.
“A second case of Mpox has been reported in Pakistan. The patient has recently come from a Gulf country,” Dr Mukhtar told PTV News.
He said the authorities had shifted the patient to a hospital for further treatment.
Read More: Three Cases of Mpox Virus Reported in Pakistan
Last week, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared Mpox a global emergency for the second time in two years.
The virus causes flu-like symptoms, pus-filled lesions and muscular pain. The symptoms are usually mild but can severely affect children, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems, such as those with HIV.
Mpox outbreak was first reported in Africa. However, it has now spread across various Asian countries including Pakistan.
Read More: Mpox Not New Covid, Can Be Stopped: Expert
On August 15, the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) – established during the PTI government to control the COVID-19 virus – said the country will ensure strict surveillance at its border crossings and airports and also collect samples for testing.
On August 16, Pakistan detected three Mpox cases at the Peshawar Airport; but only one of them turned out to be the new variant of the virus.
On the same day, China also announced that it will start screening people and goods entering the country for Mpox over the next six months.
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