Pakistan has confirmed its first monkeypox case of 2024, as announced by the Ministry of Health. The patient, a 34-year-old man from Mardan, tested positive after returning from Saudi Arabia on August 3. His diagnosis was confirmed by Khyber Medical University in Peshawar on August 13, marking the first reported case in the country this year.
Health authorities have initiated contact tracing to monitor individuals who were in close proximity to the patient, including fellow passengers on his flight from Saudi Arabia.
Monkeypox continues to be a global health concern, with the World Health Organization (WHO) reporting 99,518 cases and 208 deaths across 122 countries. The virus, which spreads primarily through close contact, causes symptoms like fever, rash, and body aches that typically last 2 to 4 weeks. Despite its spread, the survival rate for those infected is 99%, according to the WHO.
Since April 2023, Pakistan has recorded 11 monkeypox cases, including one fatality. In response, the National Institute of Health has issued an advisory urging increased vigilance and public health monitoring. The guidelines stress the importance of preventive measures to control the spread of the virus within the country.
