Pakistan confirmed the first-ever case of monkeypox in the country. Three men, who had returned from Saudi Arabia some time ago, tested positive for the virus. These three residents of Mardan arrived in Pakistan on August 3, and after they fell ill and were sampled on suspicion, they tested positive for the disease. On August 13, Khyber Medical University Peshawar declared these three were suffering from monkeypox.
Health authorities are trying to piece together details of co-passengers who reached along with the infected with these three cases from Saudi Arabia. Close contacts who stayed with the trio and infected are being listed out. Passengers of the flight and contacts, which include close contacts with the patients, are being listed and tested. The confirmation of three cases has put the health department of Pakistan on alert.
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In 2023, three passengers who landed at Jinnah International Airport, Karachi, also infected with monkeypox and were given treatment at hospital. As the disease is transmitted from one to another person, care is taken to avoid spreading more. In this same year, almost 11 cases were reported but one is dead.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 99,518 cases of the monkeypox were registered amongst 122 countries of the world. With the increasing number of cases, countries have been issued alerts against it. In Pakistan, to try and control the pandemic spread of the disease, the National Institute of Health has started taking steps towards prevention. African countries, especially, have shown a rapid increase in the disease, causing a health emergency in these countries.
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Symptoms of monkeypox include severe headache and fever, body pains, itchiness on the feet and rashes or eruptions. Fatigue and discomfort from skin rashes continue. The rashes can be painful and might develop into lesions in such areas like the eyes, mouth and urinary and genital regions. Besides, they are initially blisters full of fluid before becoming red or black.
