Daijiworld Media Network - Islamabad

Islamabad, Mar 31: Pakistan has recorded its first case of mpox in 2026 in Karachi, raising fresh concerns among health authorities about possible community transmission.

According to media reports, a 31-year-old man who recently returned from abroad was flagged during screening at Karachi airport after showing symptoms. He was promptly shifted to the Sindh Infectious Diseases Hospital for evaluation, where tests confirmed the infection. Doctors stated that the patient responded well to treatment and was discharged within two days after showing improvement.

Earlier this year, Pakistan reported a second mpox-related death involving a 53-year-old man from Faisalabad, who was undergoing treatment at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences. The patient, who had underlying conditions including HIV and hepatitis B and C, died on February 7 after developing severe symptoms.

Health officials noted that the deceased had no recent travel history, indicating local transmission of the virus—an aspect that has heightened concerns among public health experts. The first mpox-related death in the country was reported in Islamabad in December 2023, with vulnerable individuals facing higher risks of severe outcomes.

Authorities from Pakistan’s federal health ministry and the National Institute of Health reported that 53 mpox cases were confirmed in 2025, most of them detected through airport screenings and hospital surveillance systems. However, the emergence of cases without travel links suggests that the virus may now be circulating within communities.

Experts have stressed the need for stronger surveillance, early detection, and timely intervention to prevent further spread of the infection.