Suspected mpox patient in Islamabad tests negative

Published August 21, 2024
A poster points towards an isolation ward for mpox patients at a hospital in Peshawar.—AFP
A poster points towards an isolation ward for mpox patients at a hospital in Peshawar.—AFP

ISLAMABAD: The National Institute of Health (NIH) confirmed on Tuesday that a suspected case of mpox has tested negative.

“The development confirms that Pakistan has reported only one case since the World Health Orga­nisation (WHO) declared mpox a public health emergency of international concern,” Sajid Shah, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Health Services, told Dawn.

The suspected case was identified on Monday by Border Health Services (BHS) at Islamabad Airport.

“The 47-year-old suspect, who arrived from a Gulf country, was shifted to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) and admitted to the isolation ward. His sample was sent to the NIH for the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test,” Pims focal person for mpox Dr Naseem Akhtar earlier told Dawn.

She added that contact tracing would be initiated if the patient tested positive for mpox, previously known as monkeypox.

Mr Shah said that the individual was a resident of Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

“So far, only one case of mpox has been reported in Pakistan. The Ministry of Health is continuously monitoring the situation and effective measures are being taken to protect the public from mpox,” he said.

Published in Dawn, August 21st, 2024

Opinion

Editorial

Military option
Updated 21 Nov, 2024

Military option

While restoring peace is essential, addressing Balochistan’s socioeconomic deprivation is equally important.
HIV/AIDS disaster
21 Nov, 2024

HIV/AIDS disaster

A TORTUROUS sense of déjà vu is attached to the latest health fiasco at Multan’s Nishtar Hospital. The largest...
Dubious pardon
21 Nov, 2024

Dubious pardon

IT is disturbing how a crime as grave as custodial death has culminated in an out-of-court ‘settlement’. The...
Islamabad protest
Updated 20 Nov, 2024

Islamabad protest

As Nov 24 draws nearer, both the PTI and the Islamabad administration must remain wary and keep within the limits of reason and the law.
PIA uncertainty
20 Nov, 2024

PIA uncertainty

THE failed attempt to privatise the national flag carrier late last month has led to a fierce debate around the...
T20 disappointment
20 Nov, 2024

T20 disappointment

AFTER experiencing the historic high of the One-day International series triumph against Australia, Pakistan came...