Health Agencies Vigilant Amid Monkeypox Suspicions

News Desk

Islamabad: The National Institute of Health (NIH), Islamabad, said on Monday that all the national and provincial health authorities have been advised to remain on high alert for any suspected case of monkeypox.

According to NIH’s alert issued on the multi-country monkeypox outbreak in non-endemic countries to concerned health authorities and professionals at all levels, stakeholders, especially the Central Health Establishment, including monitoring points of entry, have also been asked to remain vigilant.

It added that timely detection and notification are important for prompt implementation of preventive measures, and all public and private hospitals have been directed to ensure readiness for isolation and treatment.

The situation has urged all countries to enhance surveillance and vigilance.

The Centre for Disease Control (NIH) is monitoring the situation and will keep the stakeholders updated, it added. As per the alert, a recent surge of monkeypox disease cases has been reported in non-endemic countries, including the UK, Spain, and Canada.

A total of 92 confirmed and 28 suspected cases have been reported to date in the world so far. It added that monkeypox is a rare viral zoonotic disease that is caused by infection with the monkeypox virus.

Although the natural reservoir of monkeypox remains unknown, African rodents and non-human primates like monkeys may harbour the virus and infect people.

The patient develops a rash within one to three days after the appearance of a fever, often beginning on the face and then spreading to other parts of the body.

Other symptoms include headache, muscle aches, exhaustion, and lymphadenopathy.

The incubation period is usually seven to 14 days but can range from five to 21 days. The illness typically lasts for two to four weeks.

The alert said that the transmission occurs via contact with infected animals, humans, or materials contaminated with the virus.

The virus enters the body through broken skin, respiratory tract, or mucous membranes like eyes, nose, or mouth.

Other human-to-human methods of transmission include direct or indirect contact with body fluids, lesion materials, or contaminated clothing or lines.