No mpox case in Sindh: Pechuho

Health minister says research shows that smallpox vaccine may be used against monkeypox

KARACHI:

No confirmed case of monkeypox (mpox) has been reported from any part of Sindh, Health Minister Dr Azra Pechuho said on Friday.

“There is no mpox vaccine available in the country. Therefore, people are advised to adopt precautionary measures to prevent contracting virus,” Pechuho said addressing a press conference, held at the EPI office to mark the World Immunisation Week.

She said, research indicates that the vaccination for smallpox may also be used to protect against mpox.

The health minister stated that an alert had been issued at the airport regarding mpox and therefore passengers with rashes were being examined.

“We have received 1,000 kits provided by the World Health Organisation (WHO), and test facilities are provided at Dow, Civil, and Aga Khan hospitals.

A suspected case has been reported from Lyari, and samples of the child have been obtained, the health minister said adding, the infection is similar to the chicken pox.

Mpox has an extremely low mortality rate, she said, adding that you cannot diagnose someone with mpox on the basis of appearance. “However, we don’t inform anyone until the diagnosis has been verified,” she said and requested to broadcast only confirmed cases on the media.

The minister added that the purpose of observing World Immunisation Week is to educate parents on the importance of immunisation. The campaign highlights the importance of immunisation and encourages parents to visit the immunisation centers.

She mentioned that 25 per cent of parents have not vaccinated their children.

She said that 68 per cent of immunization campaign has been completed. She advised the parents to get their children up to the age two years vaccinated.

She said that there are 1,900 centres across the province. Our goal is to achieve 80 to 90 per cent coverage by vaccinating approximately 0.2 million children.

She mentioned that since infections are spreading fast among children, vaccination for cholera is also being given to them.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 29^th, 2023.