PAKISTAN must take timely action before it ends up with a cluster of mpox cases. Our authorities would do well to recall the primary lesson learnt during the Covid-19 pandemic: health emergencies deal a damaging blow to socioeconomic activities, and cause long-term harm to human health. The state has to remain hypervigilant about another outbreak as the number of mpox cases in the country has risen to five, all in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Early last month, WHO stated that the Clade 1b variant of the virus has evoked international concern due to “the ease with which it spreads through routine contact”; presenting flu-like symptoms and pus-filled lesions. While it is mostly mild, it can become life-threatening, particularly for children, expectant mothers and people with co-morbidities and weak immune systems. In short, the intense interdependent nature of the globalised world demands stringent prevention mechanisms to deal with an emergent health threat as well as keep local transmission at bay.

Lawmakers, the NCOC and health experts must hit the ground running with a strong response programme, concentrate on isolation facilities, contact tracing and vigilant screening units at airports and other public spaces. Early detection and quarantine serve as the only effective methods to stall a widespread mpox eruption given the overcrowded environments in urban centres. Moreover, there is a need for health authorities to initiate an aggressive public campaign across the country to educate people about the disease and also promote more hygienic living practices and conditions to forestall contact-based infection. In a sinking economy, complacency and a fragile health infrastructure will jeopardise all prospects of economic progress. Interconnectivity and the frequent emergence of novel strains of infectious viruses require that Pakistan install a longstanding virus prevention model as well as bolster every health unit, and related departments, to tackle evolving and existing risks to public health. Preventable infections cannot be allowed to harm the health and earning capacity of a cash-strapped populace.

Published in Dawn, September 5th, 2024