Missing monkeypox patient found in Mardan

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa health department has reported that the first confirmed monkeypox patient in Pakistan, who had gone missing after fleeing from a hospital in Peshawar, has been located.

The patient, identified as Syed Muslim, a 34-year-old resident of Mardan, had recently returned to Pakistan after performing Umrah in Saudi Arabia. Upon his return on August 3, Muslim began exhibiting symptoms of monkeypox.

Concerned about his condition, he sought medical attention in Peshawar, where tests conducted by Khyber Medical University confirmed the diagnosis. On August 13, he became the first officially reported case of monkeypox in Pakistan for 2024.

Following his diagnosis, Muslim was admitted to a hospital in Peshawar for treatment and isolation. However, in a surprising turn of events, he managed to escape from the hospital and returned to his home in Mardan. The health department immediately launched an intensive search to locate him, given the contagious nature of monkeypox and the potential public health risks.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared the recent outbreak of monkeypox as a public health emergency of international concern due to the identification of a new variant of the virus. This global concern has amplified the urgency for health authorities in Pakistan to track and contain the spread of the disease.

The successful location of the patient is a relief for health officials, but it also underscores the challenges faced in managing public health crises, especially when individuals do not comply with medical advice and protocols. The health department has likely re-admitted Muslim to a secure facility where he can receive the necessary care while preventing the spread of the virus to others.

This incident highlights the importance of public awareness and adherence to health guidelines during outbreaks to prevent the spread of infectious diseases like monkeypox.

The health department continues to monitor the situation closely, taking all necessary precautions to ensure that the virus does not spread further within the community.