Pakistan’s 3rd confirmed case of M-Pox virus detected at Peshawar airport

Pakistan reported its third case of the m-pox virus at the Peshawar Bacha Khan International Airport with another suspected case currently under investigation, confirmed Dr Irshad Ali Rogani, the  Public Health Director of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa today.

The development followed the WHO declaration earlier this month, categorising the M-Pox outbreak as a public health emergency of international concern. The cause for alarm is the identification of the new variant, Clade 1-b that has raised global concerns due to its rapid transmission through routine contact.

Despite these, the World Health Organisation has clearly stated that the M-Pox is not going to result in another pandemic as thought of similar to the Covid-19 virus because there are enough vaccines and health safety measures known for preventing this into a mass outbreak.

Pakistan’s health ministry released a statement clarifying that the first case of M-Pox detected in the country involved the Clade 2 variety. The second case confirmed was also at the same Bacha Khan International Airport. 

M-Pox formerly known as Monkeypox was first recorded in the African country of Democratic Republic of Congo where it broke out as an epidemic and resulted in thousands of deaths.

According to Doctor Roghani, the two travellers displaying symptoms of the mpox virus were intercepted at Peshawar Airport on thursday. They were transferred to the Police and Services Hospital (PSH) for immediate treatment. Documents showed that they were flying from Jeddah to Peshawar. The concerned patients are reported to be stable and receiving treatment.

In response to the outbreak, the provincial health headquarters have issued warnings to inform the citizens of the associated health hazards and established a quick surveillance and response team.