NCOC Issues Health Alert Amid Rising Monkeypox Cases and Zika Virus Spread

ISLAMABAD: The National Command and Operation Center (NCOC) has issued a health alert to Border Health Services due to a global rise in monkeypox cases and a recent surge in Zika virus infections in India.

NCOC officials have directed that all incoming passengers from abroad be closely monitored, with special attention given to suspected monkeypox cases, who should be quarantined in designated wards.

So far, Pakistan has reported 9 monkeypox cases, including one death. All affected individuals had traveled from Arab countries, and there is currently no evidence of local transmission of monkeypox in the country.

In addition, the NCOC highlighted the concerning spread of the Zika virus in Pune, India, where over 80 cases and several deaths have been recorded. The mosquito species responsible for spreading the Zika virus is present in Pakistan, and previous confirmations of the virus were reported in Karachi in 2021 and 2022, according to Aga Khan University.