Pakistan reports sixth mpox case in Islamabad

A 44-year-old man with Gulf travel history was diagnosed with monkeypox at Islamabad Airport, the ministry reported.

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Pakistan has reported its sixth case of monkeypox, involving a 44-year-old man with a travel history to Gulf countries, according to the Ministry of Health.

The patient was identified during screening at Islamabad International Airport by the Border Health Services team.

Following his diagnosis, the man was immediately placed in isolation at PIMS hospital, where he remains in stable condition. The Ministry of Health confirmed that the situation is being closely monitored, and necessary precautions are being taken to prevent the spread of the virus.

Dr. Mukhtar Bharath, a senior health official, praised the effective screening systems in place at the airport, noting that over 630,000 passengers have been screened to date.

He added that the federal and provincial governments are working together to combat the spread of monkeypox, ensuring all resources are utilised for public safety.

The Ministry has urged the public to remain cautious and adhere to health guidelines to reduce the risk of infection.

Day before yesterday, a passenger arriving at Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport had also shown symptoms of monkeypox, according to health officials conducting screening at the airport.

The passenger, identified as Shamsheer Ali from Rahim Yar Khan, was transferred to Sindh's Infection Disease Hospital for further observation.

Shamsheer Ali had flown in on a Saudi airline flight from Saudi Arabia, and upon discovering the symptoms during routine screening, health authorities took immediate action.

In response, the Saudi aircraft was disinfected, and additional precautionary measures were implemented at the health immigration counter and conveyor belt area, which were thoroughly sprayed and disinfected.

The authorities are closely monitoring the situation as part of the broader effort to prevent any potential spread of the virus.

Previously, Dr Syed Zafar Mehdi, the focal person at Jinnah Terminal Airport, had confirmed that the Sindh Health Department has deployed over 20 doctors and paramedical staff at the airport to perform their duties.

Separate rooms have been established for the examination of suspected passengers, and medical teams are working around the clock to manage and monitor the situation effectively, he maintained.