Pakistan reports three cases of Mpox in individuals returning from UAE, strains not identified yet
Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Aug 16, 2024 4 months, 6 days, 15 hours, 54 minutes ago
Mpox News: Concerns Rise as Mpox Resurfaces in Pakistan
Pakistan has confirmed three cases of the Mpox virus, previously known as monkeypox, in individuals who recently returned from the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This alarming development comes at a time when global health authorities are on high alert due to a resurgence of the virus, which has already claimed over 1,100 lives in Africa this year. The health department in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province made the announcement on Friday, marking a significant public health concern as the country grapples with containing the virus.
Pakistan reports three cases of Mpox in individuals returning from UAE, strains not identified yet
First Mpox Case of the Year Reported in Pakistan
On Friday, Pakistan's health ministry confirmed the first case of Mpox in 2024 involving a 34-year-old man who had recently returned from UAE. This case has spurred the health authorities to take immediate action, initiating contact tracing for all individuals who were in close proximity to the infected person, including passengers on his flight. The patient has been placed in quarantine as a precautionary measure, and his sample has been sent to the National Health Institute in Islamabad for further analysis to determine the specific strain of the virus. Subsequently another two cases, also individuals who had returned for UAE also exhibited Mpox symptoms.
Mpox Virus Spreads from UAE to Pakistan
The confirmation of three Mpox cases in Pakistan is particularly concerning as all three individuals had returned from the UAE. The health department in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has stated that two of these patients have been definitively diagnosed with the virus, while the third case is still under investigation, pending results from the National Health Institute. All three patients have been quarantined to prevent further spread of the virus. However, the exact strain of the virus remains unidentified, leading to heightened concern among health officials.
Global Health Emergency Declared by WHO
This development in Pakistan coincides with a global health emergency declaration by the World Health Organization (WHO) due to the increasing number of Mpox cases worldwide, particularly in Africa. The WHO's declaration came just days before the cases in Pakistan were reported, underscoring the urgency and severity of the situation. The recent identification of a new variant of the Mpox virus, which appears to spread more easily through routine close contact, has exacerbated global concerns.
The WHO has reported that since January 2023, the Democratic Republic of Congo alone has seen 27,000 cases of Mpox, resulting in over 1,100 deaths. The disease primarily affects children, pregnant women, and individuals with weakened immune systems, such as those living with HIV, who are at a higher risk of complications.
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/new-mutated-clade-1b-strain-of-mpox-that-is-highly-lethal-causes-global-panic-as-cases-surge-in-congo
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Mpox News coverages has also shown that the Clade I strain is also spreading across various countries in Africa.
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/lethal-mpox-clade-spreads-to-kenya-and-central-african-republic
The resurgence of Mpox, particularly the new variant of Clade I, poses a significant threat, with experts warning that it could potentially become the next global pandemic if not contained swiftly.
Sequencing Underway to Identify Virus Strain
As the situation unfolds in Pakistan, health officials are focused on identifying the specific strain of the Mpox virus affecting the patients. According to a spokesperson from Pakistan's health ministry, the sequencing process is currently underway, and until it is complete, the exact variant remains unknown. Salim Khan, the director general of health services for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, confirmed that all three patients are in quarantine and that the authorities are closely monitoring their condition.
The emergence of Mpox cases in Pakistan has raised concerns among global health officials, especially after Sweden reported its first case of the new Mpox strain, which has been linked to the outbreak in Africa.
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/mpox-clade-i-debuts-in-sweden-cases-expected-in-uk-next
The spread of the virus outside Africa is a worrying development, indicating the potential for a wider global outbreak if not controlled effectively.
Mpox in Pakistan: A Growing Concern
The return of Mpox to Pakistan is not entirely unexpected, given the global spread of the virus. Since April 2023, Pakistan has reported 11 cases of Mpox, with one fatality. The recent cases underscore the importance of vigilance and preparedness in preventing the virus from taking hold in the country.
Experts have expressed concern that Pakistan, like many other countries, may not be fully prepared to deal with a potential Mpox outbreak. The lack of early preparedness and rapid response measures could lead to a situation similar to the COVID-19 pandemic, where the virus spreads uncontrollably before effective containment measures are implemented. Health authorities are urging the government to take swift action, including ramping up testing, contact tracing, and public awareness campaigns to prevent the virus from spreading further.
Conclusion: A Call for Vigilance and Preparedness
As Pakistan grapples with the re-emergence of the Mpox virus, the global community is watching closely. The identification of cases linked to travelers from the UAE highlights the importance of international cooperation in tracking and containing the virus. With the WHO's declaration of a global health emergency, the pressure is on countries like Pakistan to implement stringent measures to prevent a widespread outbreak.
The situation remains fluid, with health officials awaiting the results of sequencing to identify the strain of the virus. In the meantime, the focus is on quarantine and contact tracing to contain the virus's spread. The world has learned valuable lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic, and it is crucial that these lessons are applied to prevent Mpox from becoming the next global health crisis.
For the latest
Mpox News and updates on this developing situation, including further details on the virus strain and containment efforts, stay tuned to reliable sources like Thailand Medical News regularly.
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