The Health Ministry of Pakistan confirmed one Monkey Pox case, identifying a patient who recently returned from a Gulf country. Initially, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) authorities reported three cases, but this number was later revised to just one confirmed case. A spokesperson from the federal Ministry of Health stated that the sequencing of the mpox virus is ongoing to determine the variant. The new variant has raised global concerns due to its potential for easier transmission through routine close contact. The World Health Organization (WHO) has advised against travel restrictions to prevent the spread of mpox.
KP health authorities clarified that the two additional cases initially reported were from last year’s outbreak, while the current case involves the recent strain. The infected individual, originally from Mardan, had received treatment in Peshawar before moving to an unknown location, making contact tracing difficult.
The Ministry of Health is enhancing airport surveillance and deploying additional health personnel to monitor potential cases. While no confirmation of the new variant has been made, sequencing results are expected soon.
Globally, health officials confirmed a new strain of the mpox virus in Sweden, linked to a growing outbreak in Africa, marking its first spread outside the continent. The WHO has issued a high alert following the outbreak in Africa, which has led to over 27,000 cases and more than 1,100 deaths since January 2023, predominantly in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The mpox virus typically causes flu-like symptoms and skin lesions, with severe cases posing risks, particularly to children, pregnant women, and individuals with compromised immune systems.
