Islamabad Confirms First Suspected Case of Monkeypox

News Desk

Islamabad: Pakistan has confirmed its first suspected case of monkeypox. A 47-year-old man has been admitted to PIMS Hospital in Islamabad with symptoms consistent with the virus.

The patient recently arrived from Saudi Arabia and is a resident of Azad Jammu and Kashmir. 

The Ministry of National Health (NIH) has also reported a second suspected case in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa involving an individual who traveled from a Gulf country.

Both patients are currently quarantined in the hospital and receiving treatment. 

Experts indicate that monkeypox is a viral disease transmitted from small animals to humans, with symptoms including fever, body aches, fatigue, sore throat, and skin rash.

In response, the government is implementing measures to curb the spread of the disease. Special wards are being set up in hospitals, and public advisories are being issued to promote precautionary practices.

ICT Intensifies Monkeypox Screening at Airport

In response to the increasing threat of monkeypox, the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) Administration has ramped up its efforts to safeguard public health.

Deputy Commissioner (DC) Islamabad, Irfan Nawaz Memon, recently conducted an inspection of the monkeypox screening procedures at Islamabad Airport. The visit aimed to ensure the effectiveness of the measures in place for monitoring passengers arriving from abroad.

Following the inspection, the DC instructed health officials to expedite the screening process, emphasizing that every passenger must be thoroughly checked. He expressed satisfaction with the health department staff’s diligence in screening all international arrivals.

The DC also directed that any passenger exhibiting symptoms of monkeypox be immediately isolated and transferred to PIMS Hospital for further evaluation and care.

PIMS Hospital has been designated as the primary facility for handling monkeypox cases. The hospital is equipped with special arrangements to isolate and treat affected patients. A focal person has been appointed to oversee operations related to monkeypox management at the hospital.

These actions underscore the district administration’s proactive approach to controlling the spread of monkeypox and ensuring public safety, according to an ICT administration spokesperson.