Mpox: NIH issues alert

On Friday, an alert on major Mpox outbreak in the country is issued by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). NIH aims is to thorough briefing on the current monkeypox epidemic as well as to guide on prevention, detection of the virus.

Health authorities, healthcare professionals, and public health organizations are also advised to increase surveillance, enhance diagnostic capabilities, and put strong preventative measures in place to stop the spread of Mpox. The general public is asked to maintain proper hygiene and seek medical assistance if symptoms appear.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has now declared the Mpox outbreak a global emergency. According to details, the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and its surrounding regions including countries that had not previously reported any cases, have reported a new variant of Mpox.

Mpox is officially classified as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) by the WHO. It is noteworthy that Mpox was previously listed as a PHEIC in 2022.

Pakistan has reported 11 confirmed cases of Mpox and one death till now. Health officials confirmed that the Mpox found in Pakistan is different from the strain found in DRC. Authorities also reported that no evidence of local transmission of Mpox is found.