Peshawar:
Two more cases of Monkeopox (MPOX) have been informed in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, which takes the total number of cases in the province to five this year.
According to the Department of Health, newly affected people include a 42 -year -old man and a 20 -year -old, both Peshawar residents. While the 20 -year -old case is broadcast locally, the 42 -year -old had returned from Saudi Arabia last year.
The advisor of the principal health minister, Ehtesham Ali, declared that both patients have been isolated in their homes. Initially they had visited Khyber’s teaching hospital to receive treatment, where tests were performed due to suspects of symptoms. The results then confirmed MPOX in both cases.
No symptoms have been detected in any member of the family of the two affected patients. The sources informed the Express PAkGazette that a previous case of a woman affected by MPOX initially classified as transmitted locally. However, additional investigation revealed that her husband had recently returned from abroad and transmitted the disease.
The Health Department confirmed that the woman remains isolated, but her case is not considered a local transmission. Their six children and parents were selected, and samples of two cousins were collected, but no MPOX cases were detected among them.
Earlier this year, cases of Kohat, Khyber and Waziristan del Norte were also reported.
Background
In February, Ehtesham Ali confirmed another case of Mpox in the province. According to him, this was the first confirmed case of local transmission in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, since previous cases were identified in individuals returning from abroad.
The husband of the affected woman had recently returned from a Gulf country. Although initially he did not exhibit symptoms, then he tested positive for MPOX.
Dr. Fazal Majeed, director of Public Health, declared that the patient was admitted to the hospital on February 18 with fever and body pain. By February 19, eruptions and sores appeared in their body and inside their mouth, which led to the Public Health Coordinator, Dr. Muhammad Amir Khan, to inform the case.
On February 20, a research team collected its samples and sent them to the Public Health Reference Laboratory at Khyber Medicine, Peshawar. The diagnosis was confirmed on February 21.
Regarding the woman’s husband, Dr. Majeed said she did not show symptoms when she returned to Pakistan. However, on February 5, he developed a fever and body pain, followed by rashes on February 6. Despite his symptoms, he remained at home for 10 to 15 days without seeking medical attention.
On February 22, a medical team reviewed the patient’s history, examined their family members and nearby contacts and instructed all exposed people, including her husband, to undergo household isolation.
Dr. Majeed has urged the public to stay attentive to MPOX’s symptoms and seek immediate medical attention if signs appear.
