Surveillance, screening enhanced for monkeypox: Dr Mukhtar

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister’s Coordinator for Health Dr Malik Mukhtar Ahmad on Saturday said that the government has formulated a comprehensive strategy to protect the people from monkeypox (mpox).

Addressing a press conference, Dr Mukhtar said that people need not worry as only one case of mpox has been reported in Pakistan. He added surveillance and screening are in place at all airports and points of entry.

Dr Mukhtar said that in the provinces, including the federal capital, laboratories are allocated for the diagnosis of the mpox virus. He said that cases of monkeypox have been reported from Africa and people coming from Africa, America and the Gulf countries will be monitored, the official news agency reported.

He said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the federal capital and the provinces have taken steps on a joint priority basis. He said that the Ministry of Health is ensuring continuous monitoring of the situation.

The PM’s coordinator said that the ministry is in full contact with the provinces and on the instructions of the prime minister, a meeting is being conducted on daily basis. He appealed to the public to isolate themselves at home if their family has a travel history and monkeypox symptoms.

Dr Mukhtar added that in such a situation contact a qualified doctor and follow the doctor’s instructions in case of having any such symptoms.

He said that this virus has been found in 99,000 people in the world and only 200 patients have died and all others recovered. He said that symptoms may take 10 to 15 days to appear and spending too much time with the patient can spread it.

It is better if the patient is quarantined, he said, adding that fever medicines are used for monkeypox.