The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa health department has claimed that the first monkeypox patient who went missing after fleeing from a hospital in Peshawar, has been located, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Saturday.  

The World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the recent outbreak of the disease as a public health emergency of international concern after the new variant of the virus was identified.

The patient, Syed Muslim, arrived in Pakistan on August 3 after performing Umrah in Saudi Arabia.

The 34-year-old resident of Mardan developed symptoms shortly after arriving in Peshawar and reached out to the hospital for testing.

The diagnosis was confirmed by Khyber Medical University in Peshawar.

His positive diagnosis was confirmed on August 13, marking the first reported case of monkeypox in Pakistan for 2024.

He was admitted to a hospital in Peshawar, but later escaped and returned to his home area.

Before authorities could reach him, he left his home with his family, causing concern among local officials.

Efforts to locate the patient were extended to his ancestral area in Dir and at last, he was located.

The authorities have put him under home quarantine in Mardan areas Manga.  

 KP health officials have begun contact tracing efforts to identify and monitor individuals who were in close contact with the patient, including fellow passengers on his flight from Saudi Arabia.

As a precautionary measure, samples from 25 families in the vicinity have been collected to monitor for any signs of the virus.

Deputy District Health Officer (DDHO) Dr. Ikram reported that residents have been reluctant to cooperate with medical teams in providing samples.

To ensure the safety of the community, the health department, accompanied by the Assistant Commissioner and local police, is closely monitoring the situation.