Another case of mpox, commonly known as monkeypox, has been reported in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), bringing the total number of cases in Pakistan to six, according to provincial Health Minister Syed Qasim Ali Shah on Wednesday.
This marks the sixth case this year and the fifth since the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern following the identification of a new virus variant in August.
The latest patient, from Lower Dir in KP, was diagnosed after being screened at Peshawar Airport. The National Institute of Health in Islamabad confirmed the positive result. According to the health minister, “A public health lab confirmed the presence of the mpox virus in the patient’s blood samples.” The patient has been quarantined at home and had returned from a Gulf country on September 7, staying briefly in Peshawar.
Mpox, which causes flu-like symptoms and pus-filled lesions, is generally mild but can be fatal, especially for children, pregnant women, and those with weakened immune systems.
Earlier this month, Peshawar reported its fourth case, raising concerns that the city may be becoming a hotspot for the virus. A 47-year-old man tested positive after being isolated by health authorities at the border. He, too, had recently returned from the Gulf region, heightening worries about the virus spreading via travelers from the Middle East.
Federal Director General of Health Dr. Shabana Saleem stressed the importance of vigilance, noting that all recent cases involved individuals with travel histories to the Gulf. “Peshawar seems to be emerging as an epicenter for mpox cases,” she warned, adding that authorities have intensified efforts to prevent further spread, including enhanced screening at airports.
The increase in cases has sparked concerns among health professionals and the public, prompting calls for greater awareness and stricter travel protocols. Dr. Saleem urged the public to stay vigilant and adhere to health advisories, particularly for those returning from high-risk areas.
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