If it has reached Pakistan, it wouldn’t take much time to plague India: Monkey-Pox

Pakistan has confirmed its first case of the monkey-pox virus in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, becoming the second country outside Africa to report the infection

According to health officials, three patients recently returned from the United Arab Emirates have been detected with the virus. The patients are showing mild symptoms, and a contact tracing initiative has been launched to track everyone who contacted them. The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared monkey-pox a global health emergency, with over 14,000 cases reported in Africa as of July 2024. The virus spreads through close contact, including respiratory droplets, contaminated surfaces, and skin-to-skin touch. While rare, monkey-pox can be fatal in some cases, with 527 reported deaths this year, surpassing last year’s tally.

Confirming monkey-pox in Pakistan highlights the need for continued vigilance and monitoring to prevent the spreading of infectious diseases. Health officials are working to contain the outbreak and prevent further transmission. The case in Pakistan follows the first reported case outside Africa in Sweden, emphasizing the importance of global cooperation in addressing public health emergencies. The WHO’s declaration of monkey-pox as a worldwide health emergency underscores the severity of the outbreak and the need for swift action to combat its spread. Continued monitoring and reporting will be crucial as the situation evolves in understanding the virus’s behavior and developing effective strategies to mitigate its impact.