MPOX TRACKER

As Pakistan records its eighth mpox case in 2024, health authorities are emphasizing prevention, surveillance, and public education to curb the virus's spread. All cases have involved travelers, primarily from Gulf countries, with no local transmission reported. Mpox, caused by the monkeypox virus, presents with fever, rashes, and swollen glands and spreads through close contact or contaminated objects. Severe cases can lead to pneumonia or encephalitis.

Pakistan’s National Command and Operation Center (NCOC) has activated robust measures, including screening at entry points, referral hospitals, quarantine facilities, and strengthened surveillance and laboratory networks. Public awareness campaigns stress preventive actions such as hygiene practices, social distancing, and avoiding contact with symptomatic individuals or animals.

Globally, the mpox outbreak has surged, particularly with clade 1b in Africa, leading the WHO to declare it a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) in August 2024. Limited vaccine supplies and waning immunity from the smallpox vaccine have compounded the challenge. To address this, WHO’s Access and Allocation Mechanism ensures equitable distribution of vaccines and treatments to high-need regions, a strategy reflecting lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic.

While mpox does not pose the immediate threat level of COVID-19, its emergence underscores vulnerabilities in global public health systems. In Pakistan, collaborative efforts between general practitioners and public health authorities to develop culturally sensitive education materials can bolster community awareness and preventive behaviors.

By sustaining vigilance and implementing public health measures, Pakistan and global partners can mitigate the spread of mpox, protect at-risk populations, and prevent the virus from evolving into a larger health crisis. Public cooperation and proactive containment strategies remain key in addressing this neglected but pressing public health challenge.