Airport screenings for suspected mpox cases have been intensified, following a recent global health emergency declared by the World Health Organization (WHO) over a new mutated strain of the virus. The Pakistani health ministry confirmed on Tuesday that a suspected case from the Kashmir region tested negative.
The suspected case, involving a 47-year-old resident of Azad Kashmir, had a sample sent to the National Institute of Health for testing. The results returned negative, and the health ministry assured that effective measures are in place to protect the public from mpox.
In response to the growing threat, Pakistan has installed scanners at all airports and border crossings with Afghanistan, China, India, and Iran to monitor for suspected infections. The Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) Administration has ramped up efforts to ensure citizen safety, with Deputy Commissioner Irfan Nawaz Memon overseeing enhanced screening measures at Islamabad Airport.
Memon directed health officials to expedite the screening process and ensure that no passengers are overlooked. He emphasized that any detected symptoms would lead to immediate isolation and transfer to PIMS Hospital for further care.
PIMS Hospital has been equipped to handle mpox cases, with special isolation arrangements and a dedicated focal person overseeing operations. These measures reflect the district administration’s proactive stance in controlling the spread of mpox and safeguarding public health.
Mpox, which presents with flu-like symptoms and pus-filled lesions, is generally mild but can be severe, particularly for children, pregnant women, and individuals with weakened immune systems.
