Govt declares high alert against monkeypox

Issues instructions to health authorities, official states no case of monkeypox diagnosed in Pakistan yet

The federal government on Monday issued special instructions to all national and provincial health authorities to remain on high alert for any suspected cases of monkeypox.

According to an official of the Ministry of National Health Services, the situation is being closely monitored by the health authorities.

The official stated that information circulating on social media regarding confirmed cases of the disease in Pakistan is incorrect. “As per reports of the National Institute of Health, no case of monkeypox has yet been diagnosed in Pakistan,” he added.

The World Health Organization (WHO) on Sunday said monkeypox constitutes a "moderate risk" to overall public health at the global level after cases were reported in countries where the disease is not typically found.

"The public health risk could become high if this virus exploits the opportunity to establish itself as a human pathogen and spreads to groups at higher risk of severe diseases such as young children and immunosuppressed persons," WHO said.

Read Disease experts call on WHO, governments for more action on monkeypox

As of May 26, a total of 257 confirmed cases and 120 suspected cases have been reported from 23 member states that are not endemic to the virus, the health agency said in a statement. There have been no reported fatalities so far.

Earlier on May 23, the National Institute of Health (NIH) issued a high alert to health authorities expressing concern over the disease which has taken 11 European countries and the United States by storm.

According to the NIH’s alert issued on multi-country monkeypox outbreaks 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.

"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.