A patient carrying the mpox virus (formerly known as monkeypox) reportedly went undetected at Islamabad International Airport, triggering alarm among health authorities. The incident has raised serious concerns about the effectiveness of the airport’s health screening protocols. According to sources, the individual passed through the airport without being flagged, despite strict guidelines aimed at curbing the spread of infectious diseases.
Health officials were alerted only after the patient showed symptoms days later. Authorities are now scrambling to trace potential contacts who may have been exposed. This breach has highlighted gaps in the existing health surveillance system, particularly at points of entry like international airports.
Pakistan has been working to prevent outbreaks of mpox, and this case serves as a critical reminder of the need for vigilant and effective monitoring. Officials are now reviewing screening measures to prevent similar incidents in the future, emphasizing the importance of enhanced protocols to detect and isolate infected individuals at the earliest stage to avoid a potential public health crisis.
