It is a cause of great concern that Pakistan’s top health body has issued an alert to all national and provincial health authorities following detection of two cases of Monkeypox virus in the country for the first time, and this calls for prompt execution of preventive measures to contain further spread of the infectious virus.
According to health authorities, the infected patient has recently arrived in Islamabad from Saudi Arabia. Following its detection, all major airports have been placed on high alert as fast detection is critical to prevent spread of the virus.
An advisory issued by the National Institute of Health (NIH) and concerned health authorities in all provinces states that the hospital administrations were required to establish a designated separate area with five to 10 rooms for isolation of Monkeypox cases within 24 hours.
It is understood that Pakistan, a developing country of nearly 220 million inhabitants has fared well in its latest fight against the coronavirus pandemic. The success was embedded in multiple factors which have contributed towards effective managing the Covid-19 since its onset in the country.
However, the two cases of Monkeypox in Islamabad should not be taken by the authorities lightly. Brushing the matter under the carpet can prove fatal to those unfortunate souls whose immune systems may be compromised and who are unable to deal with an illness that, in its most dangerous form, has caused millions of infections across the world.
Monkeypox is a rare disease that is caused by the Monkeypox virus and is similar to human smallpox, but less severe. The disease is mostly found in Central and West Africa, but cases have been reported in other parts of the world as well. The symptoms of Monkeypox include fever, headache, muscle aches and a rash, which can progress to pustules or blisters.
It is believed that the virus may have been transmitted from animals to humans, either through direct contact with infected animals or through contaminated materials. In terms of the roadmap ahead, it is important for the Pakistani government to take immediate action to contain the outbreak and prevent it from spreading further. This should include measures such as isolating infected individuals and providing them with appropriate medical care, conducting contact tracing to identify and isolate individuals who may have been exposed to the virus and implementing public health measures such as social distancing and mask-wearing.
Furthermore, the government should focus on raising awareness among the general public about the risks of Monkeypox and how it can be prevented. This could involve public education campaigns, media outreach and working with community leaders to promote hygiene practices and safe animal handling.
Immediate action is needed to contain the spread of the virus. However, with appropriate measures in place, it is possible to prevent further cases and protect the health and wellbeing of the Pakistani population.
