Muzaffrabad: Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) reported their first cases of MonkeoPox on Tuesday after two people in the most southern district of Bhimber gave positive for the virus.
According to a press release from the AJK Health Department, the cases were confirmed in Samahni Tehsil, which led to the District Health Officer (DHO) Dr. Iram Batool to issue emergency directives.
Dr. Batool personally visited the affected area, where a micro-rockdown has been applied in coordination with the district administrations and Tehsil, according to the press release.
He added that the DHO had also reviewed immediate measures, including the establishment of separate rooms for patients with Monkeoypox and the application of blocking procedures.
These are the third and fourth reported cases of Monkeopox in Pakistan this year. Previously, a case was detected in Peshawar and another in Karachi. Health authorities have been on alert to prevent the spread of the virus, emphasizing early detection, isolation and contact tracking.
However, the health statement of the Health Department did not clarify whether infected people were local residents or had recently traveled from abroad.
Separately, Dr. Batool said in a statement that all emergency measures had been taken to guarantee the quarantine SOP implementation for patients with Monkeoypox. “A separate room has been designated at the Tehsil headquarters hospital, where patients will be isolated and will provide adequate medical treatment,” he said.
He added that several tests would be performed to control the spread of the disease, while the contact tracking of infected people was also prioritized to identify and test their nearby contacts.
Dr. Batool urged the public to immediately consult a doctor if they had any information about an alleged case of Monkeopoyx in its surroundings.
He explained that Monkeopox spreads through close contact with an infected person, which includes physical touch, skin -to -skin contact and respiratory exposure, such as talking or sitting very close to an infected individual.
This correspondent sent multiple messages and made several calls to DHO to obtain more details, but did not receive an answer.
Posted in Dawn, March 26, 2025
