Pakistan Grapples with Rise in Mpox Cases Among Returning Travelers

The number of mpox cases in Pakistan has risen to five, following the confirmation of the virus in an air passenger in Peshawar. Health officials are closely monitoring the situation and have established strict screening protocols. The virus, formerly known as monkeypox, can spread through close contact.

The number of mpox cases in Pakistan has climbed to five after an air passenger in Peshawar tested positive for the virus, health officials revealed on Saturday.

Dr. Irshad Ali, Director of Public Health in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, stated that airport medical personnel identified two travelers from Jeddah showing symptoms of mpox on Thursday, with one confirmed case. The patient, a 51-year-old man from Orakzai, is in stable condition and is receiving treatment at Police and Services Hospital Peshawar.

Another suspected case involves a 32-year-old who recently traveled from Jeddah to Karachi and was admitted to a hospital with a maculopapular rash. Authorities have confirmed that no locally transmitted cases have occurred. Enhanced screening measures and designated labs are in place nationwide, following the WHO's recent declaration of mpox as a public health emergency.

(With inputs from agencies.)