Third M-Pox Case Confirmed in Pakistan at Peshawar Airport
The third case of the M-Pox virus in Pakistan was confirmed at Peshawar airport. Dr. Irshad Ali Roghani, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Public Health Director, reported that another suspected patient has been moved to a hospital.
WHO Declares Public Health Emergency
Earlier this month, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the M-Pox outbreak a public health emergency due to the new Clade 1b variant, which spreads easily through close contact. However, the WHO clarified that M-Pox is not another Covid-19, as much is already known about the virus and how to control it.
Details of the Cases
Pakistan’s first M-Pox case involved the Clade 2 variant. The second case was confirmed last week at Peshawar airport. On Thursday, two travelers from Jeddah to Peshawar showed symptoms and were taken to the Police and Services Hospital (PSH) for treatment. The confirmed case is a 51-year-old man from Orakzai, who is in stable condition. Another suspected case, a 47-year-old man from Peshawar, is awaiting test results.
Health Department’s Response
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Health Department has set up an integrated surveillance and response system for M-Pox. The WHO raised its alert level after cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo spread to neighboring countries. Since January 2023, there have been 27,000 cases and over 1,100 deaths, mainly among children, in the DRC. The Clade 1b variant has also been confirmed in Sweden and Thailand.
Symptoms and Risks
M-Pox presents with flu-like symptoms and pus-filled lesions. While usually mild, it can be fatal for children, pregnant women, and those with weakened immune systems. The WHO has not recommended any travel restrictions to curb the spread of M-Pox.
Doubts Revealed
M-Pox -: M-Pox is a virus that can make people sick. It is similar to smallpox but usually less severe.
Peshawar -: Peshawar is a big city in Pakistan. It has an airport where people can travel by plane.
Orakzai -: Orakzai is a district in Pakistan. It is where the 51-year-old man who got sick with M-Pox is from.
World Health Organization -: The World Health Organization, or WHO, is a group that helps keep people healthy all around the world.
public health emergency -: A public health emergency is when a disease is spreading and making many people sick, so extra help is needed to stop it.
Clade 1b variant -: Clade 1b variant is a new type of the M-Pox virus that is causing the outbreak.
Pakistan’s health ministry -: Pakistan’s health ministry is a part of the government that takes care of health and medical issues in Pakistan.
locally transmitted cases -: Locally transmitted cases mean people getting sick from others in the same area, not from traveling.
