Patel chairs session over monkeypox disease after WHO alert

ISLAMABAD: The government has increased surveillance for the monkeypox disease after WHO declared it a public health emergency of international concern, a spokesperson of the Ministry of National Health has stated.

A meeting, chaired by Federal Health Minister Abdul Qadir Patel, was attended by the special secretary health, D.G. Health, and representatives of the interior ministry and FIA.

Pakistan government has decided to increase surveillance for the monkeypox disease after the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared it a public health emergency of international concern. No case of monkeypox had been diagnosed in Pakistan yet, health officials said.

Health Minister Patel said that an effective surveillance regime has been working for monkeypox disease. “All hospitals have been instructed to take necessary measures for the disease,” he said.

Globally, there have so far been 16,016 monkeypox cases of which 3,269 were reported in the last week, according to WHO data.

“All the national and provincial health authorities have been advised to remain on high alert for any suspected case of monkeypox as the government has started taking effective measures to prevent the disease,” Health Minister Abdul Qadir Patel said.

He said that international health regulations related to monkeypox will be fully implemented in the country. “The government would continue its work as per the guidelines of WHO”, he said.

The health ministry has issued instructions to all stakeholders, especially border health services, to strictly monitor the suspected cases at all points of entry in the country and ensure an effective monitoring mechanism. The screening of all incoming passengers will be ensured particularly passengers coming from African countries, he added.

The health minister has also directed the pandemic response body National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) to ensure regular monitoring of the monkeypox situation in the country along with COVID-19 infections.

The spokesperson of the Ministry of National Health Services said the situation is being closely monitored by the health authorities.

Monkeypox is a rare disease caused by infection with the monkeypox virus. This virus is part of the same family of viruses that causes smallpox. Monkeypox can spread in three ways, from person to person, from animals to humans, and through direct contact with contaminated objects. In most cases, the symptoms of monkeypox go away on their own but in some people, it may lead to medical complications and even death.

In most cases, Monkeypox starts with a fever and often flu-like symptoms followed by a rash that can spread to many areas of the body. Symptoms include fever, headache, muscle aches and backache, swollen lymph nodes, chills and exhaustion.

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Andhra Pradesh on alert as water rises in Godavari

Water level expected to hit first warning level by July 25; officials ready rescue and relief material

Water level expected to hit first warning level by July 25; officials ready rescue and relief material

Polavaram

With water level in the Godavari on a steady rise, thanks to more spells of rain in the catchments in Andhra Pradesh, a flood alert has been issued to tribal habitations by the river banks.

Water levels in Godavari tributaries had also increased, and the discharge from the Polavaram project was about 6.70 lakh cusecs by Sunday evening, Water Resources Department officials said.

Central Water Commission officials monitoring the river said that the water level in the Godavari, which stood at 45 feet on Saturday, had decreased to 38 feet by Sunday morning.

However, it again increased to 39.9 feet at Bhadrachalam by evening. This level is expected to touch the first warning level by Monday, they added.

Officials of the Revenue, Irrigation, Medical and Health, Integral Tribal Development Agency (ITDA), Fisheries, AP Transco and other departments were put on alert in the wake of the rising water levels in the State.

Boats and essential commodities such as drinking water, medicines, milk, generators, diesel and vegetables will be made available in flood-affected villages, said an official on duty.

Temporary relief

In Telangana, however, there has been some relief from heavy rain for the past two days.

Water flow to projects in the Krishna and Godavari basins is fluctuating, with not much rain recorded in the upstream areas of the two river basins in Maharashtra and Karnataka for the past two days. While the inflow to projects in the Krishna basin is on the decline, it is steady in the Godavari basin, with the forecast of some increase to the major projects.

The highest rainfall recorded in the State during the 24-hour period from 8.30 a.m. on Saturday to 8.30 a.m. on Sunday and from 8.30 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday has been 56.5 mm. However, the impact of heavy rain on Saturday is being felt on several projects in the Godavari basin.

According to the irrigation authorities, water flow to Singur was about 16,000 cusecs, Nizamsagar 56,500 cusecs, Sriramsagar 82,750 cusecs, Lower Manair 23,850 cusecs, Kaddam 11,500 cusecs and Mid-Manair 9,000 cusecs, with all projects discharging water by maintaining flood cushion.

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