ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s National Institutes of Health (NIH) has issued an urgent advisory about the mpox virus after the outbreak of a new strain of the disease worldwide, state broadcaster Radio Pakistan reported on Thursday, providing a comprehensive overview on preventing and detecting the infection. 

The World Health Organization last week declared a global health emergency over the spread of a new mutated strain of mpox named clade I. Pakistan’s health authorities reported one confirmed case of mpox which turned out to be negative this week. 

Clade I has triggered global concern because it seems to spread more easily through routine close contact. The emergence of the new strain has been linked to a growing outbreak in Africa.

“The National Institutes of Health (NIH), operating under the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination, has issued an urgent advisory concerning an unprecedented outbreak of Mpox, affecting multiple countries,” state broadcaster Radio Pakistan said.

It said that the advisory aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the current global and national Mpox outbreak situation and offer guidance to all relevant stakeholders on prevention, detection, and response strategies.

The advisory urged health authorities, health care providers, and public health organizations to intensify surveillance, enhance diagnostic capabilities, and implement robust preventive measures to curb mpox’s spread. 

“The public is advised to stay informed, practice good hygiene, and seek medical attention if symptoms develop,” Radio Pakistan said. 

As per the advisory, Pakistan has reported only 11 confirmed cases and one death since mpox was first detected in the country in April 2023. 

Patients who contract mpox get flu-like symptoms and pus-filled lesions. Mpox is usually mild but can kill, and children, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of complications from the infection.