Islamabad: Following the confirmation of an Mpox case in Pakistan, Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed Bharath, Coordinator to the Prime Minister for Health, has ordered rigorous monitoring at all points of entry, including airports, to prevent the spread of the disease.
According to Press Information Department, Dr. Bharath chaired a critical meeting with health officials, including the Director General of Health and the Executive Director of the National Institute of Health, to assess the Mpox situation. The meeting also connected representatives from provincial governments via video link. The confirmed case originated in the Mardan district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, involving an individual who had recently returned from a Gulf country.
Health Ministry Spokesperson Sajid Hussain Shah detailed ongoing efforts such as contact tracing and additional sample collections from potential contacts to control the situation. Airport screening and surveillance operations have been intensified, with health personnel closely overseeing the processes to ensure adherence to established protocols.
Dr. Bharath emphasized the adequacy of Pakistan’s response mechanisms and the robust nature of airport screenings. He reassured the public of the concerted efforts by federal and provincial health authorities to maintain community health safety amid the Mpox threat. The Ministry of Health remains committed to implementing necessary measures to protect the public and monitor the situation diligently.