ISLAMABAD: Pakistani health authorities confirmed a fourth mpox case in the country on Sunday, identifying the patient as a resident of Peshawar who had been isolated by border health staff at the airport after showing symptoms of the disease.
Mpox, a viral disease causing flu-like symptoms and pus-filled lesions, has prompted global concern, with the World Health Organization (WHO) declaring it a public health emergency on August 14. A new strain of the virus, which first emerged in the Democratic Republic of Congo, has since spread to several countries, leading to increased monitoring and preventive measures worldwide.
In response to the health emergency, Pakistan has implemented stringent screening protocols at all airports and border entry points to prevent the spread of the disease. Pakistani officials say health authorities are maintaining high alert to detect and manage any potential new cases promptly.
“The 47-year-old citizen was isolated on August 29 by the Border Health Services based on symptoms,” said a statement circulated by the health ministry. “The affected person came from the Gulf countries.”
“After the recent emergency, the number of mpox cases in Pakistan has reached four,” it added.
The ministry also reported that a suspected mpox case in Karachi, identified the previous day, had tested negative.
Dr. Mukhtar Bhart, the Prime Minister’s Coordinator for Health, emphasized the government’s commitment to preventing the spread of mpox and protecting the public.
“Practical measures are ongoing to protect the public from epidemics,” he said. “We are committed to ensuring all possible measures.”
Dr. Bhart added that the Ministry of Health, alongside provincial health departments, was actively monitoring the situation and coordinating efforts to prevent any further spread of the virus.
“Our goal is to protect the public from potential outbreaks, and we are prepared to take all necessary actions to achieve this,” he added.
Pakistan reports fourth mpox case in Peshawar amid airport screening
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Pakistan reports fourth mpox case in Peshawar amid airport screening
- The 47-year-old citizen was isolated on August 29 by the border health staff based on symptoms
- Officials say a suspected mpox case in Karachi, identified the previous day, has tested negative
Thousands of Afghans displaced by Kabul-Islamabad conflict
- The neighbors have clashed since Thursday when Afghanistan launched a border offensive in retaliation for Pakistani air strikes
- Islamabad has hit back along the border and with fresh air strikes, bombing multiple sites including the former US air base at Bagram
KABUL: More than 8,000 Afghans have been forced from their homes by fighting with Pakistani forces along the border in recent days, the Taliban government said Tuesday.
The neighbors have clashed along the frontier since Thursday, when Afghanistan launched a border offensive in retaliation for Pakistani air strikes.
Islamabad has hit back along the border and with fresh air strikes, bombing multiple sites including the former US air base at Bagram, the capital Kabul and the southern city of Kandahar.
“Due to these brutal bombings and attacks, 8,400 of our families have been displaced, forced to leave their villages and homes,” Afghan deputy government spokesman Hamdullah Fitrat said at a news conference.
An AFP journalist near the frontier has spoken to residents who have fled the clashes.
Afghanistan’s defense ministry reported “extensive and heavy offensive and revenge attacks” across seven provinces over the past day.
The government acknowledged earlier air strikes on Bagram for the first time.
“Yes, the enemy targeted Bagram as well, but there were no casualties or damage,” defense ministry spokesman Enayatullah Khowarazmi said.
Two residents told AFP on Sunday that they heard air strikes in Bagram, north of the capital.
Pakistani security sources said strikes at Bagram were based on “credible intelligence” to disrupt the “supply of critical equipment and stores” for Afghan soldiers and militants fighting Pakistan forces along the frontier.
They said Pakistan reserves the right to respond to the Taliban government’s “aggression along its border by striking legitimate targets at the time and place of its own choice.”
Pakistani fighter jets also flew nighttime sorties over Kabul, another security source told AFP.
UN ‘ALARMED’
Islamabad’s confirmation that its aircraft flew over the Afghan capital came hours after AFP journalists in the city heard multiple explosions.
The blasts were heard alongside anti-aircraft weapons and gunfire from across the city.
An AFP journalist in Jalalabad city, between Kabul and the frontier, reported hearing explosions and various weapons being fired.
At the nearest border crossing, around 50 kilometers (30 miles) from Jalalabad, residents in Torkham told AFP the days-long fighting was ongoing.
The latest casualties include three children killed in a “crime committed by the Pakistani military regime” in Kunar province, Fitrat said Monday.
At least 39 civilians have been killed since Thursday, the Afghan government said, a toll which Pakistan has not commented on.
The UN children’s charity said it was “alarmed” by reports of child casualties in the conflict, and called on all sides to “exercise maximum restraint, protect civilian lives.”
Pakistan said its February air strikes that sparked the escalation were targeting militants.
Islamabad accuses Afghanistan of failing to act against militant groups that carry out attacks in Pakistan, which the Taliban government rejects.
Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said on Tuesday it was “never too late to talk,” but warned: “We will finish this menace.”
The Afghan defense ministry spokesman said more than 25 soldiers have been killed, while estimating Pakistani fatalities among troops at around 150.
Pakistan says more than 430 Afghan soldiers have been killed, with more than 630 wounded.
Casualty claims from both sides are difficult to verify independently.
The violence of recent days is the worst since October fighting killed more than 70 people on both sides, with land borders between the neighbors largely shut since.
