Peshawar Reports Fifth Mpox Case: Concerns Rise Over Spread from Gulf Region
Peshawar, Pakistan, has reported its fifth mpox case this year, raising concerns about the city’s potential as a hub for the virus from the Gulf region. A 47-year-old man returning from the Gulf tested positive and was isolated by Border Health Services staff on August 29.
Dr. Shabana Saleem, Federal Director General of Health, emphasized the need for vigilance, especially among travelers from the Gulf, with Saudi Arabia identified as a potential point of exposure. She described the trend as alarming and underscored the government’s commitment to safeguarding public health.
Pakistani authorities have increased health screenings at airports across the country. Isolation wards have been established in all districts, and Rapid Response Teams have been formed in district health offices. So far, there have been no reports of the virus being transmitted within the country, only cases imported from abroad.
A report from the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Health Department states that 20,901 people have been screened at Bacha Khan International Airport and 21,040 people have been screened at Torkham Crossing.
Doubts Revealed
Peshawar -: Peshawar is a city in Pakistan. It is one of the oldest cities in the country and has a rich history.
Mpox -: Mpox is another name for monkeypox, a rare disease caused by a virus. It can spread from animals to humans and sometimes between humans.
Gulf Region -: The Gulf Region refers to countries around the Persian Gulf, like Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Qatar. Many people travel between these countries and Pakistan.
Federal Director General of Health -: The Federal Director General of Health is a high-ranking official in Pakistan who oversees health policies and programs to keep people healthy.
Health Screenings -: Health screenings are checks done at places like airports to see if people are sick. This helps stop diseases from spreading.
Isolation Wards -: Isolation wards are special hospital areas where sick people are kept away from others to prevent spreading their illness.
Rapid Response Teams -: Rapid Response Teams are groups of health workers who quickly go to places where there are disease outbreaks to control and stop them.