ISLAMABAD: After confirmation of first Monekypox (mpox) case in Pakistan, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday ordered to enhance the effectiveness of screening systems with his Coordinator on National Health Services Dr Mukhtar Ahmad saying not to panic as mortality rate of the virus was low. Addressing a press conference, the PM’s coordinator said that the virus was detected in 99,000 people in the world of which only 200 patients died and the rest recovered. “There is no need to be panic as only one case of mpox has been detected in Pakistan.
” Giving details of the first case, Ahmad said that the person – who tested positive for the virus in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) – recently returned from the Gulf region. Following the confirmation, he said the authorities concerned isolated the family members of the affected person. “The government has formulated a comprehensive strategy to protect the citizens from the virus,” Dr Ahmad said, adding that surveillance and screening are in place at all airports and points of entry.
In the provinces including the federal capital, he noted, laboratories are allocated for diagnosing Mpox. Ahmad said travellers coming from Africa, the United States (US) and the Gulf countries will undergo screening. He said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Centre and the provinces have taken steps on a priority basis to stop the potential spread of the disease.
The PM's aide said that the Ministry of Health is ensu.