Pakistan reports 8th mpox case in Gulf expatriate

ISLAMABAD: A 32-year-old man returning from a Gulf nation has tested positive for mpox marking Pakistan’s eighth confirmed case of the virus this year, officials from the National Health Services, Regulations, and Coordination (NHS, R&C) said on Thursday.

The individual, hailing from Upper Dir in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, arrived at Islamabad International Airport on December 18. Upon arrival, he was promptly transferred to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) for evaluation due to lesions and other symptoms of the infectious disease, where his samples were collected and sent to the National Institute of Health (NIH). “Subsequent testing at the NIH confirmed the Mpox infection. Genetic sequencing is being performed to ascertain the type of virus”, an official of NHS told The News.

Dr. Naseem Akhtar, head of the Infectious Diseases Department at PIMS, reported that the patient is in stable condition and is receiving appropriate medical care. Federal health authorities have emphasised the importance of heightened vigilance, particularly at international entry points, to curb the virus’s spread. Mpox formerly known as monkeypox, is a viral disease characterized by fever, skin rashes, and swollen lymph nodes. Pakistan’s encounter with Mpox began in 2023, with the first case reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) on April 20, 2023.

In 2024, the country documented eight confirmed cases, including the recent one in Islamabad. Notably, in August 2024, Pakistan reported its first case of the more virulent Clade 1b variant of the virus. This variant, associated with higher transmission rates and increased severity, has raised global concerns. Experts at the NIH Islamabad stated that the global Mpox situation has evolved significantly over the past two years. In August 2024, the World Health Organization declared the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern following a surge in cases, particularly in Central and West Africa. The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has been notably affected, with over 14,000 suspected cases and more than 600 deaths reported in 2024. According to infectious diseases experts, the emergence of the Clade 1b variant, first identified in the DRC, has led to increased vigilance worldwide. This variant has been detected in countries beyond Africa, including Sweden and Pakistan, prompting health authorities to enhance surveillance, contact tracing, and preventive measures. “In response to the rising number of cases and the detection of the Clade 1b variant, Pakistani health authorities have implemented several measures, including increased surveillance at international airports and other entry points to identify and isolate potential cases promptly,” an official said.

However, the official called for public awareness campaigns, particularly targeting Pakistanis living in Gulf countries where this disease is prevalent but often goes unreported.

“We need to educate people working in Gulf countries to maintain good hygiene practices, avoid close contact with individuals exhibiting symptoms, and seek immediate medical attention if they develop signs consistent with mpox” an infectious diseases expert commented.