Pakistan has intensified its efforts to prevent the spread of monkeypox (mpox), with airports, particularly in Lahore, placed on high alert following new cases in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).
An emergency meeting of Border Health Management, alongside airport officials, resulted in tighter protocols at all airports.
At Lahore Airport, thermal scanners have been installed to monitor incoming passengers, and both passengers and staff are required to wear masks.
Fumigation is ongoing, and isolation rooms are being set up to manage any suspected cases, according to Airport Manager Nazir Ahmad Khan.
The Punjab Health Department has issued additional directives, including the creation of isolation rooms across provincial airports.
If a passenger shows symptoms, aviation staff will be notified, and those with temperatures above 97°F will be quarantined and handed over to Border Health Management for further screening.
Airline crews have been instructed to separate suspected patients during flights and allow them to disembark last. Suspected cases will be transferred to designated hospitals by Rescue 1122 services.
To ensure constant monitoring, airport staff will operate thermal scanners 24/7 in three shifts, with plans to provide personal protective equipment (PPE) and establish PCR testing facilities.
Punjab has designated six hospitals, including Lahore’s General Hospital and others across the province, to handle suspected cases.
These hospitals are preparing quarantine wards for any potential patients.
In Karachi, similar measures are in place. Dr. Zafar Mehdi, spokesperson for the Karachi airport health team, confirmed that incoming passengers are undergoing thorough medical checks, with suspected cases being isolated in government hospitals.
He urged caution but assured that the situation remains under control with preventive measures firmly in place.
Health officials continue to monitor the situation, urging citizens to stay vigilant and take necessary precautions.