Two new mpox cases raise alarm

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has reported its first locally transmitted case of Mpox after health authorities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) confirmed two new infections, bringing the total number of cases this year to five.

Officials on Friday said the first local case involved a 20-year-old male from Peshawar, while the second was a 42-year-old man, who had recently returned from Saudi Arabia.

According to officials from KP Health Department and National Institute of Health (NIH) Islamabad, the 20-year-old patient admitted to being a male homosexual and was diagnosed with Mpox after testing at the provincial laboratory. The second case, 42-year-old traveler, also tested positive after samples from both individuals were examined. Health authorities have expressed concern over local transmission of Mpox, particularly among men who have sex with men (MSM), as the disease has been linked to close skin-to-skin contact. While Mpox is not classified as a sexually transmitted infection (STI), global health agencies have reported a higher prevalence among MSM communities.

The emergence of a locally transmitted case in Pakistan has raised alarms about potential community spread and the need for targeted awareness campaigns. Officials in KP confirmed contact tracing efforts are underway to identify and test individuals, who may have been exposed to 20-year-old patient.

However, they noted tracing efforts are challenging due to reluctance of some individuals to come forward. Public health experts stress early detection, saying isolation is crucial to preventing further spread of disease. Both infected individuals have been isolated, and their condition is reported to be stable. Authorities are closely monitoring their health and screening people in their immediate surroundings.

So far, all five confirmed Mpox cases in Pakistan this year have been reported from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The provincial health department has urged the public to seek medical attention if they develop symptoms such as fever, skin rashes or swollen lymph nodes. People are advised to avoid close physical contact with suspected cases and to follow hygiene precautions to minimise risk of transmission.

With the confirmation of local transmission, health experts warn Pakistan may see an increase in Mpox cases if preventive measures not implemented effectively. They called for increased surveillance, better public awareness and strengthened healthcare responses to control the spread of disease.