The National Institute of Health (NIH) on Monday put all the national and provincial health authorities on high alert for any suspected case of monkeypox, a disease which has taken 11 European countries and the US by storm.
According to the NIH’s alert issued on 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 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 by the non-endemic countries including the UK, Spain and Canada and a total of 92 confirmed and 28 suspected cases have been reported to date.
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, however, 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 fever, often beginning on the face and then spreading to other parts of the body. Other symptoms include headache, muscle aches, exhaustion and lymphadenopathy.
Read more: WHO calls emergency meeting as monkeypox cases top 100 in Europe
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 an infected animal, human, 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 linens.
Punjab Chief Minister Hamza Shehbaz has directed the health department to remain vigilant in the wake of the possible spread of the disease, adding that necessary precautions should be adopted.
In a statement, he emphasised that the health department should ensure the implementation of WHO precautions.
Similarly, Hamza said, advance measures should be timely adopted to stop the spread of this disease, including devising an effective mechanism for the screening of passengers at airports.
A campaign should also be run in addition to setting up a monitoring cell, he concluded.
The Sindh Health Services director general has directed the management of all government hospitals across Sindh, including Karachi, to immediately report patients coming with high fever, severe body aches, headaches and convulsions in the hospitals to Provincial Disease Surveillance and Response Unit in Hyderabad and Regional Surveillance and Response Unit in Karachi established by the Sindh government.
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