ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed authorities to maintain strict vigilance against the spread of monkeypox (mpox), following the World Health Organization’s (WHO) declaration of the outbreak as a public health emergency of international concern. In a high-level meeting on Saturday, the prime minister emphasized the need for effective screening at airports, seaports, and borders. He instructed border health services to closely monitor the situation and ensure that necessary equipment and testing kits are available for detecting mpox.
The National Command and Operations Center (NCOC) has been directed to stay alert, conduct daily evaluations, and oversee the availability of essential resources for virus detection. The meeting included key officials such as PM’s Coordinator on National Health Dr. Malik Mukhtar Ahmad, Federal Secretary for National Health Nadeem Mehboob, and Chairman of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Lt-Gen Inam Haider Malik.
The prime minister also called for enhanced coordination between provincial governments, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir. He stressed the importance of launching a comprehensive awareness campaign and indicated that he would receive weekly briefings on the situation.
Officials reported that a case of mpox had been detected in Mardan district. The patient, who had recently returned from abroad, is in stable condition and has been quarantined. The meeting was assured that no local transmission of mpox has been detected in Pakistan.
Following the WHO’s declaration on August 14, the NCOC issued a national advisory and disseminated necessary instructions. Federal and provincial governments have initiated awareness campaigns, and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is monitoring flights from affected regions. Isolation wards and beds have been allocated in major hospitals, including those in Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and the Islamabad Capital Territory, in preparation for potential cases.
Enhanced Surveillance and Screening for Mpox
Meanwhile, Dr. Malik Mukhtar Ahmad, Prime Minister’s Coordinator for Health, announced a comprehensive strategy to protect the public from mpox. He reassured the public that there is no need for alarm, as only one case has been reported in Pakistan so far.
Dr. Ahmad detailed the implementation of surveillance and screening measures at all airports and entry points across the country. Laboratories in the provinces and the federal capital have been designated for mpox diagnosis. Individuals arriving from Africa, America, and Gulf countries, where mpox cases have been reported, will be closely monitored. He emphasized that, under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s leadership, both federal and provincial authorities are prioritizing mpox prevention. The Ministry of Health is ensuring continuous daily monitoring and coordinating with provincial health departments. A daily review meeting is being conducted to assess the situation and implement necessary measures.
Dr. Ahmad urged the public to take precautions, particularly if they or their family members have recently traveled to affected regions and exhibit symptoms of mpox. He recommended contacting a qualified doctor and following their instructions. Dr. Ahmad also provided details on the global situation, noting that approximately 99,000 people worldwide have contracted mpox, with 200 fatalities reported. Symptoms typically appear within 10 to 15 days, and prolonged contact with an infected person increases the risk of transmission. He advised quarantining patients and treating them with fever-reducing medications.
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