A concerning development has emerged in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where the first diagnosed monkeypox patient has gone missing from their home in Mardan. The individual, who had recently returned from Saudi Arabia, was found to be absent when a medical team visited their residence to provide guidelines and support.
The health department had confirmed the diagnosis in Peshawar, but the patient’s disappearance has raised alarms among health authorities. An investigation is underway, with the health ministry and relevant authorities working to locate the missing individual.
This incident comes as the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the recent outbreak of monkeypox as a public health emergency of international concern. A new variant of the virus has been identified, and cases have been reported globally, including in Pakistan.
The disappearance of the patient in Mardan highlights the challenges in containing the spread of the disease. Health officials are working to trace the individual’s contacts and prevent further transmission.
Monkeypox, also known as mpox, is a viral disease that can cause a painful rash, enlarged lymph nodes, and fever. It can lead to severe illness, particularly among children. The WHO has reported over 27,000 cases and more than 1,100 deaths in the Democratic Republic of Congo since January 2023.
The incident in Mardan underscores the need for increased vigilance and cooperation from the public to combat the spread of monkeypox.
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