Sun Sep 08 13:02:25 UTC 2024: ## Peshawar Emerges as Potential Mpox Epicenter in Pakistan, Raising Concerns for Afghanistan

**Peshawar, Pakistan** – Pakistan is facing a growing concern over the spread of mpox, with Peshawar emerging as a potential epicenter for the disease. The country has reported five cases of mpox, including four since the World Health Organization declared it a global health emergency in late July.

The latest case, reported on Sunday, involves a 47-year-old man who arrived in Pakistan from an undisclosed Gulf nation on August 29th. He was isolated at the Bacha Khan International Airport in Peshawar due to symptoms consistent with mpox.

All five cases reported in Pakistan so far have been linked to international travel, with patients arriving from countries like Saudi Arabia and unnamed Gulf nations. However, the concentration of cases in Peshawar, located in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, has raised alarm bells.

This province shares a porous border with Afghanistan, where health facilities have deteriorated significantly since the Taliban takeover in August 2021. The increasing number of mpox cases in Peshawar has heightened fears of the disease spreading to Afghanistan, where vulnerable populations could face significant health risks.

Pakistan’s National Health Services Ministry spokesperson Sajid Shah has assured that no local transmission of mpox has been reported yet. However, the situation warrants heightened vigilance and proactive measures to prevent further spread of the disease.

The Pakistani authorities are working to contain the outbreak and prevent its potential spread to neighboring countries. The situation underscores the need for international cooperation and support to address the global mpox crisis, particularly in regions with fragile healthcare systems.

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