By Farman Ullah
Monkeypox is a rare viral disease that is like a cousin to smallpox. It got its name from being first found in monkeys back in 1958, but the first human case was detected in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Nowadays, it is mostly found in Central and West Africa, but it can show up in other parts of the world if people travel or animals are brought in from those areas.
In KP three cases have been detected so far. The first monkeypox case was detected in a 34-year-old male resident of Mardan who arrived in Pakistan on August 3 and developed symptoms shortly after arriving in Peshawar, leading him to seek testing at a hospital.
The second case of Mpox (Monkeypox) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was detected in a 47-year-old man from Nowshera who traveled from Dubai to Peshawar.
Recently the third case has been detected in a passenger who recently arrived at Peshawar’s Bacha Khan Airport has tested positive for monkeypox, after showing symptoms during screening. The individual, a resident of Peshawar with a travel history to the Gulf region, was isolated along with another suspected case. Samples were sent to a laboratory at Khyber Medical University, where one of them confirmed positive. Health officials are now tracing contacts and screening others. This case brings the total number of monkeypox cases in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to three.
To combat the spread of monkeypox, the KP government needs to act fast. They should keep a close eye on travelers, especially those coming from areas where the virus is already present, to catch any potential cases early on. Setting up special isolation wards in hospitals will also help prevent the virus from spreading further. Tracing the contacts of infected individuals is crucial, too – anyone who has been near someone with monkeypox should be tested. The government should also consider vaccinating high-risk groups, like healthcare workers, to stop the virus in its tracks. Raising public awareness is key, so launching campaigns to educate people about monkeypox’s symptoms, prevention, and treatment is a must. And, of course, screening at airports needs to be tightened up. By working together with federal authorities and international organizations, the KP government can get this outbreak under control and keep its citizens safe.