BHS advises to enhance screening at airports to prevent Monkeypox

Islamabad: In view of the recent detection of a Monkeypox case in the country, the Border Health Services (BHS) has issued advisory to the health authorities to enhance screening of inbound passengers at all international airports.

An official of the Ministry of National Health Services (NHS) said they are monitoring the situation both at national as well as global level and keeping all relevant stakeholders on board for ensuring preparedness, timely response, and containment of Monkeypox cases in the country.

He said the Ministry of National Health Services and National Command and Operation Center are vigilantly monitoring the situation at the National Institute of Health (NIH).

On the other hand, high alert has been issued in Punjab and Sindh regarding the spread of disease.

Caretaker Punjab Health Minister Dr. Javed Akram said: “Children hospital and General hospital in Lahore have been designated to provide immediate treatment to affected people”.

He said guidelines have been issued to all airlines for screening of passengers inside the plane to stop this contagious disease.

The minister added that a helpline is also being established to provide relevant information related to Monkey pox to general public.

In Sindh, the Director General Health has asked all medical superintendents, civil surgeons, directors of major hospitals and health institutes to be vigilant and prepared to prevent the spread of this virus in the province.

He said anyone having an acute illness with a fever of 101 degrees, intense headache, back pain or intense asthenia should immediately inform the nominated health officer.