Pakistan detects 2025's first mpox case in Peshawar

A passenger, returning to Peshawar from Dubai, tested positive for the mpox virus at the airport, marking this year's first case of the infectious disease in the country.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Health Adviser Ihtisham Ali said on Saturday that the Public Health Reference Lab had confirmed the detection of the mpox virus and shifted the patient to Police Services Hospital.

The hospital sent the patient's samples to the provincial reference lab. The manager of the Peshawar airport was also asked to provide details of other passengers via a letter.

It is noteworthy to mention here that the province has reported 10 mpox cases over the last three years, including two in 2023, seven in 2024 and one this year.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the recent spread of the virus a global emergency in August last year.

In 2023, Pakistan had confirmed nine cases of mpox, all among travellers returning from the Middle East and other countries.

Mpox is a viral disease related to the now-eradicated smallpox virus and can spread through close contact and through contaminated materials like sheets, clothing and needles, according to WHO.

How dangerous is it and who's at risk?

The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revealed that while some outbreaks of clade I mpox have killed up to 10% of people who get sick, more recent outbreaks have had lower death rates.

The fatality rate for clade II is less than 0.2%.

Those at risk of having more severe infections include infants, people with severely weakened immune systems and pregnant women.

Symptoms of Mpox?

Initial symptoms are typically flu-like and include fever, chills, exhaustion, headache and muscle weakness.

They are often followed by a painful or itchy rash with raised lesions that scab over and resolve over a period of weeks.