Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan – Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has been thrust into emergency mode after confirming its first monkeypox case of the year. A 34-year-old man from Lower Dir, who recently traveled to the Middle East, tested positive for the virus. He is currently in isolation at Khyber Teaching Hospital in Peshawar.
Health authorities are intensifying their response, with increased surveillance and screening for close contacts. Hospitals have been directed to adhere to strict protocols for diagnosis and sample handling.
In neighboring Punjab, criticism is mounting over the lack of preparedness in hospitals, despite a government directive to ready facilities for monkeypox. While no cases have been reported in the province, the situation highlights significant gaps in the healthcare response.
This case adds urgency to the global health alert, as the World Health Organization has declared monkeypox a public health emergency for the second time, following outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
