People should not worry about mpox, says govt

ISLAMABAD: While alerts have been issued by the WHO and many other countries about monkeypox cases, Pakistan is facing shortage of vaccine to cope with the situation.

However, the federal government today claimed that it has formulated a comprehensive strategy to protect people from the disease.

Dr. Malik Mukhtar Ahmad, who is the coordinator to the prime minister health, told a press conference that people needed not worry as only one case of mpox had been reported in Pakistan. He said that surveillance and screening being done at all airports and points of entry.

He said mpox cases have been reported in Africa and people coming from Africa, America and the Gulf countries will be monitored.

“The federal capital and provinces have taken steps on a joint priority basis and the Ministry of Health is ensuring continuous monitoring. The government is closely monitoring the situation,” he claimed.

He 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 Mpox symptoms.

According to WHO, common symptoms of mpox include a rash which may last for 2–4 weeks. This may start with, or be followed by, fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, low energy and swollen glands (lymph nodes).