Prof. Farooq Afzal, principal of Amiruddin Medical College, told attendees at a Lahore General Hospital dermatology symposium that Mpox prevention depends on stronger public awareness, timely diagnosis, effective treatment and sustained research. He called on young doctors to engage in Mpox research to help limit spread and improve future therapies.
Senior clinicians including Prof. Nudrat Sohail, MS LGH Prof. Dr. Faryad Hussain, HoD Dermatology Prof. Atif Shehzad and specialists Dr. Furqana Akhtar, Dr. Saadiya Siddiqi, Dr. Tahir Kamal and Dr. Sana Muazzam reviewed the virus, its behaviour and modern clinical approaches during the awareness event organised by the Department of Dermatology.
Speakers explained that Mpox is a zoonotic virus transmitted from animals to humans and can also spread through close physical contact, direct exposure to skin lesions, contaminated clothing or bedding and respiratory droplets in close settings. Common symptoms described included fever, body aches, muscle stiffness, swollen lymph nodes, rashes or blisters and profound fatigue. Medical teams stressed that early diagnosis is essential to prevent complications.
Clinical guidance provided at the symposium underlined that mild Mpox cases are managed with symptomatic care while severe illness may require antiviral medication under specialist advice. Delegates were advised to keep distance from infected individuals, practise strict hand hygiene, cover skin lesions and avoid contact with contaminated items to reduce transmission risks.
Prof. Dr. Faryad Hussain highlighted that the Punjab government has established a state of the art Mpox treatment centre at Lahore General Hospital where senior doctors now offer free medical and diagnostic services to patients. Pamphlets distributed at the event aimed to equip the public with practical prevention steps and signs that warrant medical attention.
Prof. Farooq Afzal urged continued collaboration among hospitals, clinicians and researchers to control Mpox locally and nationally. He thanked the organising committee and acknowledged contributions from Dr. Wajieha Saeed, Dr. Eima Shaheen, Dr. Samreen Rafi, Dr. Shaiqa Mufti, Dr. Ahmed Kazmi, Dr. Hina Manzoor, Dr. Sobia Ali and Dr. Farhana Nazeer for successfully staging the awareness symposium and engaging both medical staff and the wider community.
