In response to growing global concerns about Mpox, federal health authorities announced on Monday that only a select number of institutions and laboratories are authorized to conduct testing for the virus.
Currently, the National Institute of Health (NIH) and six government laboratories in the provinces and federal territories are officially mandated to carry out Mpox testing, they said.
These directives were issued after doctors at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad advised a suspected patient to undergo Mpox testing at a private lab in Islamabad, where a nasopharyngeal swab was taken for testing. However, officials noted that this method is not recommended for diagnosing Mpox.
Officials from the federal health ministry clarified that the designated, authorized laboratories for Mpox diagnosis are strategically located in Islamabad, the capitals of all four provinces, as well as in Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, providing a geographically balanced network of testing facilities.
Federal officials stressed that no private laboratory in the country is currently authorized to conduct or report Mpox test results. This decision aims to maintain strict quality control and accuracy in the testing process, which is crucial to preventing the spread of the virus.
To date, no private laboratories have sought permission from federal authorities to conduct Mpox testing, officials confirmed. Speaking to The News, federal health officials highlighted the importance of adhering to the “gold standard” testing protocol for Mpox, which involves obtaining skin samples for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing.
This method is considered the most reliable for detecting the virus. The emphasis on standardized testing procedures reflects the government’s commitment to ensuring the accuracy and reliability of Mpox diagnoses.
Officials also reported that two additional suspected cases of Mpox infection arrived from abroad in the past two days—one in Islamabad and the other in Peshawar—though both were tested and found to be negative. These cases underscore the need for stringent border controls and testing protocols, particularly given the global increase in cases.
Although the number of confirmed Mpox cases in Pakistan remains low, federal and provincial health departments are closely monitoring the situation. Officials added that the government has implemented surveillance systems to quickly identify potential cases and has instructed healthcare facilities to remain vigilant.
The Ministry of National Health Services (NHS) has issued guidelines to provincial health departments, healthcare providers, and the public on the symptoms and preventive measures for Mpox, which typically include fever, rash, and swollen lymph nodes, among others. The ministry has also launched awareness campaigns to educate the public on recognizing Mpox symptoms and the importance of seeking immediate medical attention if infection is suspected.
To prevent the spread of Mpox, the government is also focusing on ensuring that suspected cases are isolated and that contacts of confirmed cases are traced and monitored. Authorities have urged the public to avoid close contact with infected individuals and to practice good hygiene, including frequent hand-washing.