Mpox Case Confirmed at PIMS in Islamabad
ISLAMABAD: A 41-year-old woman receiving treatment at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) has tested positive for Mpox, according to a hospital doctor.
The Islamabad resident was admitted to PIMS last week after developing skin lesions on her face. She was placed in the hospital’s Infectious Control Ward while medical staff assessed her condition.
Doctors collected samples from the patient and sent them to the National Institute of Health (NIH) for testing. The NIH later confirmed that the samples were positive for Mpox.
According to the hospital doctor, the patient is currently out of danger and her condition is improving.
What Is Mpox?
Mpox is a viral infection that can spread through close contact with an infected person, animal or contaminated materials. Common symptoms can include fever, flu-like symptoms and a skin rash or lesions.
The disease was previously known as monkeypox. The World Health Organization adopted the name “Mpox” in 2022.
The illness can spread when the virus enters the body through broken skin or through the eyes, nose or mouth. Direct contact with lesions or bodily fluids can also transmit the virus. Contact with contaminated clothing, bedding and other materials may also pose a risk.
Mpox Virus Types
According to information cited by Pakistan’s National Institute of Health, Mpox viruses are generally classified into two major groups, known as clade I and clade II.
Clade I has historically been associated with more severe illness, while clade II was responsible for the global outbreak that began in 2022 and has generally been associated with less severe disease.
Treatment and Prevention
Management of a confirmed Mpox case includes appropriate medical care and measures to reduce the possibility of transmission. Isolation may be recommended while a patient is infectious.
People who develop symptoms or have had close contact with a confirmed case should seek medical advice and follow guidance from healthcare professionals.
The latest case at PIMS is being managed in the hospital’s designated infection-control setting as the patient continues to recover.
