ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has confirmed its sixth case of the deadly Mpox virus, detected at Islamabad International Airport on Monday, local media reported. The latest patient, a 44-year-old person, was identified during routine screening at the airport.
The patient, who has a recent travel history to the Gulf countries, is currently isolated at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) and is reported to be in good health.
According to the Ministry of Health, the patient was flagged by the border health services team as part of their screening process.
Dr. Mukhtar, a health official, said that over 630,000 passengers have been screened at airports to date. This screening effort is part of Pakistan’s broader strategy to manage and contain the spread of Monkeypox amid the ongoing outbreak.
The fifth case of Monkeypox reported earlier, was a 33-year-old resident of Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has issued an urgent advisory regarding the unprecedented Monkeypox outbreak. The advisory provides a comprehensive overview of the global and national situation and offers guidance on prevention, detection, and response strategies.
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Monkeypox, caused by the Mpox virus, is characterized by a distinctive rash that typically appears 1 to 3 days after the onset of fever. The rash begins on the face and then spreads to other parts of the body, progressing through stages from macules to scabs.
Other symptoms may include headaches, muscle aches, exhaustion, and swollen lymph nodes. The incubation period for Monkeypox ranges from 7 to 14 days, though it can vary between 5 and 21 days, with the illness usually lasting between 2 and 4 weeks.
