On Wednesday, the National Command and Operation Center issued an alert to border health services in response to a marked increase in global monkeypox cases and the emergence of the Zika virus in India.
The NCOC has instructed health officials to closely monitor all travelers arriving from international destinations, with a particular focus on symptoms related to monkeypox. Suspected cases are to be isolated in designated quarantine facilities to prevent the virus from spreading further.
To date, Pakistan has reported nine confirmed cases of monkeypox, one of which has resulted in a fatality. All affected individuals had recently traveled from Arab countries, suggesting that the virus has not yet gained a local foothold within Pakistan.
In addition to monkeypox concerns, the NCOC has raised alarms about the Zika virus, which is spreading in Pune, India. Over 80 cases and several fatalities have been reported in the region. The mosquito species responsible for transmitting Zika is also present in Pakistan, heightening the risk of potential outbreaks.
The presence of the Zika virus was previously confirmed in Karachi by the Aga Khan University during 2021 and 2022. This prompted a strengthening of surveillance and preventive measures against mosquito-borne diseases.
The NCOC’s alert is part of a broader initiative to protect public health amid the escalating threats posed by infectious diseases.
Health officials and the public are urged to remain vigilant and adhere to preventive measures to mitigate the risk of these diseases spreading within the country.
