Mpox virus detected in Pakistan

Mpox virus detected in Pakistan, health authorities say;

Pakistan has recently confirmed cases of the mpox virus, with at least one detected case reported on August 16, 2024. The infected individual had traveled from a Gulf country, and health authorities have yet to identify the specific strain of the virus. There are concerns that this could be a more contagious variant, similar to those causing outbreaks in Africa.

Health officials in Pakistan are taking precautions, including heightened monitoring at airports and direct surveillance of passengers showing symptoms. In response to the detection, the Punjab province issued an alert to prevent further spread. So far, three cases have been reported in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, and all patients are currently in quarantine.

This development comes amid a broader global alert from the World Health Organization, which declared mpox a global public health emergency earlier this month due to significant outbreaks in several African countries【30†source】【31†source】.