Another passenger from ME tests positive for mpox at Peshawar airport

ISLAMABAD: Another person who arrived at Peshawar airport from a Middle Eastern country has been tested positive for mpox, bringing the total number of cases in Pakistan to four this year so far, officials said Saturday.

“Two individuals who arrived at Peshawar airport yesterday were suspected of having mpox and were isolated by the Border Health Services (BHS) staff. Their samples were sent to the provincial designated lab for testing, which confirmed that one of them was infected with mpox. His samples have been sent to National Institute of Health for gene sequencing and further analysis,” said Dr. Shabana Saleem, Director General Health.

According to health officials, the BHS team at Peshawar airport isolated both individuals after they showed symptoms consistent with mpox. The infected individual is a resident of Peshawar, and health authorities have begun contact tracing to screen those who may have been in close contact with him.

The Ministry of Health spokesperson confirmed that the infected individual had a travel history to the Gulf region. This latest case marks the fourth confirmed mpox case in Pakistan this year alone. Health officials have assured the public that stringent screening and isolation protocols are in place at all airports to prevent the spread of the disease.

In a related incident, a suspected mpox case has been reported in Karachi. A passenger arriving from a Gulf country showed symptoms consistent with mpox and was transferred to the Sindh Infectious Diseases Hospital. Samples from the patient have been sent to Dow Lab for confirmation.

The Ministry of Health has assured that all necessary steps are being taken to keep the public safe from mpox. This includes the ongoing vigilance of airport staff, effective isolation procedures for suspected cases and rigorous contact tracing for confirmed cases. Health officials urge the public to cooperate with screening measures and adhere to guidelines issued by health authorities.