Two cases of monkeypox have been reported in Islamabad, Pakistan, originating from Saudi Arabia, according to officials who confirmed the development on Tuesday. The identity of the victims has been kept confidential, and samples were sent to the National Institute of Health in Islamabad, which confirmed the presence of the virus.
In response to the confirmed cases, the Sindh Health Services Directorate General issued an advisory stating that hospital administrations must establish a designated separate area with five to 10 rooms for isolation of monkeypox cases within 24 hours. The area should include appropriate infection control measures, such as negative pressure, hand hygiene facilities, and personal protective equipment, to provide safe and effective care for patients.
The public has been urged to be vigilant for the detection of any suspected cases and ensure preparedness to launch response activities for curtailing the transmission of monkeypox disease in Sindh. Monkeypox is a rare disease similar to smallpox and can be fatal. The virus can be transmitted to humans from animals such as rodents and primates, and human-to-human transmission can also occur through direct contact with infected bodily fluids or respiratory droplets.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has reported cases of monkeypox in 110 member states across all six WHO regions since January 2022. As of April 25, 2023, there have been 87,113 laboratory-confirmed cases and 130 deaths reported to WHO.
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The Sindh health department has put its staff at the Karachi airport on high alert and asked them to wear protective clothing, masks, and check the symptoms of monkeypox while checking passengers. If symptoms are found in passengers, they should be transferred to the isolation ward already set up at the Karachi airport.
All passengers arriving in the country from abroad would be screened, and their travel documents would be sealed inside envelopes. The airline’s staff will wear protective gloves and masks. To curb the spread of the virus, protocol services at the airports have been stopped. The health department employees will spray the luggage of passengers with germicide, and they will also carry personal protective equipment kits.
The situation is being closely monitored, and further updates will be provided as the situation develops.
