LAHORE: Monkeypox (Mpox) is a contagious viral disease and its prevention requires enhanced public awareness, timely diagnosis, effective treatment and comprehensive research.
This was stated by the Principal Amiruddin Medical College (AMC) Prof Farooq Afzal while addressing an awareness symposium titled “Mpox Unmasked: Prevention, Treatment & Research Frontiers”, organized by the Department of Dermatology here at the Lahore General Hospital (LGH).
Prof Farooq urged young doctors to take an active role in Mpox-related research so that the spread of the disease can be curbed and future treatment strategies improved. He stated that advancements in medical science have significantly simplified the management of complex infectious diseases.
Senior medical professionals, including Prof Nudrat Sohail, MS LGH Prof Dr Faryad Hussain, HoD Dermatology Prof Atif Shehzad, Dr Furqana Akhtar, Dr Saadiya Siddiqi, Dr Tahir Kamal and Dr. Sana Muazzam also addressed the symposium and highlighted the nature of the Mpox virus, its modes of transmission, symptoms, epidemiology, and modern treatment approaches.
They explained that Mpox is a zoonotic virus transmitted from animals to humans and can also spread through close physical contact, skin lesions, contaminated materials, and respiratory droplets.
Speaking to the media, Prof Farooq Afzal stressed that effective control of Mpox is possible through collaboration among healthcare institutions, doctors and researchers. He added that awareness programmes are valuable not only for medical professionals but also for safeguarding public health.
MS LGH Prof Dr Faryad Hussain informed the participants of symposium that the Punjab government has established a state-of-the-art Mpox treatment center at LGH, where senior doctors provide free medical and diagnostic services to patients. He expressed the hope that the symposium would have far-reaching effects, enabling the public to protect themselves by adopting precautionary measures.
Prof Atif Shehzad and other experts explained that common symptoms of Mpox include fever, body aches, muscle stiffness, swollen lymph nodes, rashes or blisters and extreme fatigue.
They advised maintaining distance from infected individuals, practicing hand hygiene, covering skin lesions and avoiding contact with contaminated clothing or bedding. They added that mild cases require symptomatic treatment, while severe cases may be treated with antiviral medications on a doctor’s advice. They emphasized that timely diagnosis is crucial to prevent complications with this disease.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
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