Pakistan's mpox tally reaches six as another case reported in KP
1. Lower Dir resident tested positive for virus after he returned from a Gulf country, says provincial minister
PESHAWAR: Another case of mpox (monkeypox) was reported in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), bringing the total number of cases in Pakistan to six this year, KP Health Minister Syed Qasim Ali Shah announced on Wednesday.
This marks the fifth case since the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the recent outbreak of the disease as a public health emergency of international concern following the identification of a new variant in August.
According to the National Institute of Health (NIH) Islamabad, the latest patient, a resident of Lower Dir in KP, was isolated after screening at Peshawar Airport. A medical test later confirmed that the individual was infected with the mpox virus.
"A public health lab confirmed the presence of the mpox virus in the patient's blood samples," said Health Minister Shah. The patient, who returned to Pakistan from a Gulf country on September 7, had stayed at a hotel in Peshawar before visiting a private clinic for treatment. He has since been quarantined at his home in Lower Dir.
Mpox is a viral infection that causes flu-like symptoms and pus-filled lesions. Although typically mild, it can be fatal, particularly in children, pregnant women, and those with weakened immune systems.
Peshawar has recently reported its fourth mpox case, raising concerns that the city could become a hotspot for the virus. A 47-year-old man, who tested positive after returning from the Gulf region, was isolated on August 29, according to Border Health Services.
"This is the fifth mpox case this year and the fourth since WHO declared mpox a global health emergency," noted Federal Director General of Health Dr. Shabana Saleem. She highlighted that all recent cases involved individuals with a travel history to the Gulf region, sparking concerns over the virus's spread through travelers.
"Peshawar appears to be turning into an epicentre for mpox cases," Dr. Saleem warned, calling the situation alarming. Authorities are now enforcing stricter screening measures at airports to contain the spread.
The recent rise in mpox cases has prompted health experts and officials to urge the public to stay vigilant and adhere to health advisories, especially for those returning from high-risk regions.
