On Friday, a spokesperson for the health ministry confirmed that Pakistan has reported its second case of mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) at Peshawar airport.
This case is notable as it involves the Clade 1b variant, which has raised global concerns due to its rapid transmission through close contact.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recently declared the mpox outbreak a public health emergency of international concern after identifying a new variant of the virus.
However, the WHO has clarified that mpox is not akin to the Covid-19 pandemic because much is already known about the virus and its control measures.
Earlier this week, the health ministry clarified that the first mpox case in Pakistan involved the Clade 2 variety, with no reported cases of the Clade 1b strain until now.
Dr. Malik Mukhtar Ahmad, the Prime Minister’s health coordinator, confirmed that the latest case, originating from a Gulf country, was detected at Peshawar airport. The affected individual was promptly transferred to a hospital by the airport’s health desk.
Dr. Mukhtar did not specify if the Clade 1b strain has been confirmed in this case. He emphasized that the health ministry is maintaining rigorous monitoring through a comprehensive system of screening and surveillance at all airports.
Border Health Services personnel are actively engaged in scrutinizing suspected cases and taking significant steps to prevent epidemics.
Dr. Naseem Akhtar from the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) reported that a 47-year-old traveler from the Middle East, who worked as a laborer and was a resident of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, was referred to PIMS by airport authorities after being suspected of having mpox.
The WHO has recently issued a high-level alert regarding the outbreak in Africa, where the disease has led to 27,000 cases and over 1,100 deaths, primarily among children, in the Democratic Republic of Congo since January 2023.
While Clade 1b cases have been confirmed in Sweden and Thailand, the WHO has not recommended travel restrictions.
Mpox typically presents with flu-like symptoms and pus-filled lesions. While usually mild, it can be severe, particularly for children, pregnant women, and individuals with weakened immune systems.
