Health Department Screens Close Contacts of Mardan Resident Positive for Mpox
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa health department has conducted screenings for close contacts of a Mardan resident who tested positive for mpox at the Public Health Reference Laboratory. The family members and neighbors of the patient did not show any symptoms of the viral infection.
The 34-year-old patient is currently isolated at home, and his specimens have been sent for genetic sequencing to the National Institute of Health in Islamabad. Provincial health minister Syed Qasim Ali Shah visited a six-bed isolation ward at Services Hospital in Peshawar to review the facilities for suspected mpox cases.
The health authorities are focusing on strengthening surveillance and prevention strategies to manage and isolate suspected mpox cases effectively. Dermatologists emphasize that mpox is generally a self-limiting disease with most patients recovering without major complications.
While the government continues its efforts to prevent the spread of the virus, it remains crucial for healthcare professionals to stay informed about the symptoms and handling of suspected patients.
Published in Dawn, August 18th, 2024