Pakistan has reported a suspected case of monkeypox, prompting health authorities to issue a high alert across the country. The suspected case involves a young man from Dera, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, who recently returned from the Gulf region.

According to the Ministry of National Health, the individual has displayed mild symptoms and has been isolated. Samples have been sent to the National Institute of Health for confirmation.

Contact tracing has been initiated, and further samples are being collected from potential contacts. The Ministry has instructed all provinces to designate focal persons for monkeypox surveillance and has directed border health services to implement strict monitoring at all entry points.

The Ministry confirmed that this is the first suspected case of monkeypox in Pakistan this year. The country has recorded 11 confirmed cases of monkeypox in the past two years.

In response to the suspected case, the Punjab Health Department has issued a high alert, instructing airports to ensure immediate hospital transfer of any suspected cases. The department has also requested district health authorities to provide data on suspected cases.

All public and private hospitals have been provided with advisories on monkeypox, including protocols for monitoring, isolation, and timely laboratory testing of suspected cases. Hospitals have been instructed to report any positive cases immediately.

The World Health Organization (WHO) declared monkeypox a global health emergency on Wednesday.