Karachi reports first case of monkeypox, confirms health dept

KARACHI: Sindh Health Department on Thursday confirmed the first case of monkeypox in Karachi, ARY News reported.

According to the health department, the patient had recently arrived in Karachi from Jeddah and is believed to have contracted the virus there.

After confirmation, the patient is shifted in isolation ward for medical attention while futher samples were taken and sent at Dow University Lab.

The Health Department of Sindh advised people to take measures such as washing their hands and avoiding close contact with people who are showing symptoms of the disease.

Earlier in the day, a team from the World Health Organization (WHO) visited the Islamabad International Airport to assess the measures taken by Pakistani authorities against the spread of monkeypox.

The team led by Country Head of the WHO, Dr. Mahipala, visited the airport aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the measures taken to prevent the spread of the disease.

The WHO team also observed the medical screening process for incoming international passengers, including the screening of passengers and the protocols in place for the isolation and treatment of suspected cases. They also toured various lounges at the airport, inspecting the facilities and observing the adherence to safety protocols.

The airport manager briefed the World Health Organization team on the measures taken at the airport to deal with monkeypox and expressed confidence in the safety measures taken.

ABOUT MONKEYPOX

Monkeypox is a rare but potentially fatal disease caused by a virus that is similar to the human smallpox virus. It is transmitted from animals to humans and can be transmitted from human to human through close contact.