Coordinator to Prime Minister for Health Dr Mukhtar Ahmed Bharath has instructed the Border Health Services to implement strict monitoring at all points of entry, including airports in the wake of confirmation of Mpox case in Pakistan. "We are monitoring the situation closely, moment by moment," he stated while chairing a meeting convened to assess the situation regarding the confirmed case of Mpox in Pakistan. He emphasized that Pakistan's response actions to handle the Mpox outbreak are adequate and satisfactory. The meeting included the Director General of Health, Executive Director of the National Institute of Health (NIH), and other medical experts, with representatives from provincial governments joining via video link. Dr. Mukhtar addressed the urgency of the situation following the confirmation of a positive Mpox case in the Mardan district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where the affected individual had recently returned from a Gulf country. Contact tracing efforts for the infected individual have already commenced, with additional samples being collected from potential contacts, Health Ministry Spokesperson Sajid Hussain Shah said. Health personnel across the country will be visiting airports to oversee the screening and surveillance systems, ensuring that protocols are effectively in place. This initiative aims to bolster coordination between airport authorities and provincial health departments. Dr. Mukhtar reassured the public that there is a robust and comprehensive system in place for screening at airports, and the Border Health Services staff is in constant communication with provincial health authorities. "Provincial governments are also ensuring that all necessary measures are being implemented," he added. The Ministry of Health remains committed to taking practical steps to safeguard the public from illnesses and outbreaks, underscoring the collective efforts being made to ensure community health safety amid the Mpox threat, Sajid Shah said. As the situation evolves, health officials continue to monitor developments closely, prioritizing public health and safety across the nation, he added.
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