KARACHI: The Ojha Institute of Chest Diseases at Dow University of Health Sciences (DUHS) has declared the test results of skin samples of four suspected monkeypox patients as negative.
The suspected patients, two Pakistanis and as many Somali nationals, had landed at Karachi airport.
As they were showing some monkeypox-like symptoms, the authorities took their skin samples and sent them to the DUHS for chemical analysis the same evening.
The samples were tested using PCR technique, and the laboratory report submitted to the Sindh health department confirmed that monkeypox was not detected.
Meanwhile, an advisory issued by the Sindh Health Services Directorate General stated the hospital administrations were required to establish a designated separate area with five to 10 rooms for isolation of monkeypox cases within 24 hours.
The area should include appropriate infection control measures, including negative pressure, hand hygiene facilities, and personal protective equipment to provide safe and effective care to the suspected patients as well as the health staff and doctors.
