Islamabad, August 23, 2024, The Europe Today: Pakistan has significantly intensified health screening measures at its international airports following the global outbreak of the monkeypox virus, locally referred to as mpox. On Thursday alone, passengers from 135 international flights underwent rigorous screening, according to NHC.
The sources reported that a total of 18,479 passengers were screened across the country within 24 hours. Specifically, 4,595 passengers were screened at Jinnah International Airport in Karachi, 4,964 at Allama Iqbal International Airport in Lahore, and 4,790 at Islamabad International Airport. Other airports, including those in Multan, Sialkot, Peshawar, Faisalabad, and Quetta, also conducted screenings, with the numbers ranging from 146 to 1,871 passengers.
The Federal Ministry of Health issued stringent guidelines on August 20, mandating comprehensive screening, isolation, and other preventive measures at all international airports. This move comes in response to the growing threat of mpox, which has seen a resurgence with a new variant recently confirmed in Sweden and linked to an outbreak in Africa. Pakistan reported its first case of the virus on August 15.
The ministry’s notification emphasized the necessity of preventive measures to curb the international spread of the virus. As part of the new protocols, the issuance of visas on arrival is now contingent on passengers receiving health clearance.
The World Health Organization (WHO) describes mpox as a viral disease related to the now-eradicated smallpox. It spreads through close contact and contaminated materials such as clothing and bedding. Symptoms include fever, muscle pain, swollen glands, exhaustion, and a rash that evolves into raised lesions.
In light of the health ministry’s directives, the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) has instructed all airlines flying into Pakistan to adopt preventive measures. These include providing face masks, ensuring hand sanitization, and disinfecting luggage. The PCAA will also conduct regular inspections to ensure compliance without disrupting airport operations.
Meanwhile, the Border Health Services (BHS), tasked with overseeing mpox-related activities at airports, is managing the isolation and safe transport of suspected cases to designated medical facilities. The BHS will continue to report confirmed cases to health authorities and maintain surveillance data to monitor the situation closely.
Pakistan’s swift response underscores its commitment to mitigating the risk of mpox spread and ensuring the safety of its citizens and international visitors.
