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Peshawar, Pakistan – Pakistan is facing a growing challenge in containing the spread of monkeypox (mpox) as the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province reports its fifth case of the virus. The latest patient, a 47-year-old man who recently returned from the Gulf region, has been isolated by the Border Health Services and is currently under care at the Khyber Teaching Hospital (KTH) in Peshawar.
The resurgence of mpox in KP, particularly in its capital Peshawar, has alarmed both local and national health authorities. The provincial government has intensified its efforts to combat the virus, with health officials working tirelessly to prevent further transmission.
Dr. Shabana Saleem, Federal Director General of Health, emphasized the urgency of the situation, highlighting that this is the fifth mpox case reported in Pakistan this year and the fourth since the World Health Organization (WHO) declared mpox a global health emergency.
“The resurgence of mpox in Peshawar is a serious concern,” Dr. Saleem stated. “There is an immediate need for vigilance, particularly among travelers from the Gulf, considering that Saudi Arabia has been identified as a potential point of exposure. We must act swiftly to prevent further spread.”
In response, health agencies across Pakistan have implemented rigorous screening protocols at airports, with a particular focus on passengers arriving from the Gulf region. Federal and provincial health officials are working in close coordination to contain the virus, ensuring that preventive measures are in place and ready to respond to any developments.
A health official at KTH reassured the public that, so far, no cases of local transmission have been recorded. “The Health Department has established a coordinated surveillance and response system to deal with the virus,” the official explained. “Isolation wards have been set up in all districts, and Rapid Response Teams have been formed in district health offices.”
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Health Department has reported that 20,901 individuals have been screened at Bacha Khan International Airport in Peshawar, while another 21,040 people have been checked at the Torkham Crossing with Afghanistan. However, the constant movement of locals working in the Gulf region, particularly Saudi Arabia, poses an ongoing risk as they frequently return home during holidays.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has long been a challenging region for health authorities, particularly due to widespread resistance to vaccination campaigns. The province is one of the few remaining places in the world that continues to report polio cases, with many locals refusing to accept vaccinations from health workers. This resistance, combined with past targeted attacks on health workers, has hampered efforts to counter the spread of various viruses.
As Pakistan grapples with the mpox outbreak, the need for coordinated action and public cooperation has never been more critical. The provincial and federal governments are urging the public to remain vigilant and adhere to preventive measures to curb the spread of the virus.
