As Monkeypox cases continue to be reported in various parts of the world, Pakistan cannot afford to take the disease lightly. The alarm bells must be ringing as this highly contagious virus has the potential to cause a serious health emergency in the country.
Monkeypox is a viral disease that is very similar to smallpox. It is believed to have originated in Africa, where it is known to be endemic. The first case of Monkeypox was identified in humans in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and since then, there have been several outbreaks reported in different parts of the world. The virus is usually transmitted from one person to another through direct contact with an infected person’s body fluids or by touching objects contaminated with the virus.
Read more: Monkeypox arrives in India
A Public Health Emergency
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has already declared a public health emergency with more than 21,148 reported cases worldwide. The European Union has approved the smallpox vaccine for emergency against Monkeypox.
Moreover, the European Union’s Center for Disease Control has alerted travelers returning home from affected regions about possible links.
No Monkeypox cases in Pakistan so far
No case of Monkeypox has been reported yet in Pakistan, but we cannot afford to be complacent. The potential for this disease to spread through physical contact and cause a serious health emergency is real and the government must take appropriate measures to prevent it from happening. The Government of Pakistan has already issued special instructions to all national and provincial health authorities concerning the possible spread of the Monkeypox.
As per sources, the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulation and Coordination officials are closely monitoring the situation while rubbishing information circulating on social media about Monkeypox cases in Pakistan.
Read more: Monkeypox: Government issues high alert
U.S. officials say Monkeypox can be eliminated
The head of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Xavier Becerra, while talking to A.P. said, “We are doing everything possible at the federal level to work with state partners and local communities affected by the Monkeypox virus outbreak.”
He added that America’s public health system can contain or even eliminate this dangerous disease in our country as well as internationally where it has been reported so far.”
Vaccination and Prevention
The effectiveness of vaccination against smallpox has been demonstrated through several observational studies to be about 85% effective in preventing Monkeypox. Priorly vaccinated individuals may experience milder illness than those without previous protection. Monkeypox is a serious disease that can be easily prevented by staying informed about the risk factors and taking precautions to reduce exposure.
Read more: Monkeypox: WHO raises alarm about another contiguous disease
The government of Pakistan needs to take early steps to prevent an outbreak, including educating the public about the risks and setting up screening points at airports and other entry points into the country.
Muhammad Adnan is a journalist and researcher. The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Global Village Space.