Sindh Reports First Mpox Case in an Infant as Provincial Tally Reaches 94
Sindh has reported an mpox infection in a 40-day-old baby boy, bringing the province’s total number of cases recorded this year to 94, according to a report published on Thursday.
The infant is receiving treatment at the Sindh Infectious Diseases Hospital and Research Centre (SIDH&RC) in Karachi. His parents are residents of Landhi, according to sources quoted by Dawn.
A senior hospital doctor said the baby was initially taken to a clinic in Landhi four to five days before being referred to a hospital in Korangi. He subsequently developed a fever and rashes across his body.
The doctor said the infant was in stable condition but remained restless. The hospital has received 23 mpox patients so far this year, including the latest case.
Karachi records the highest number of cases
Data released earlier this month by the Provincial Disease Surveillance and Response Unit showed that Karachi had reported 28 mpox cases, followed by Khairpur with 22 and Sukkur with nine.
April recorded the highest number of infections this year, with 31 cases. September followed with 20 cases, while 17 were reported in August.
The surveillance data showed that 70 cases involved male patients. Adults aged 30 to 39 formed the most affected age group, while 23 cases were recorded among children aged zero to nine. Another 18 cases involved people aged 20 to 29.
Mpox deaths reported in Sindh
The report also noted that two patients with serious underlying health conditions had died at the hospital in recent weeks. One had severe lung disease, while the other had chronic kidney disease. Hospital records attributed their deaths to their existing illnesses rather than mpox.
Separately, provincial surveillance figures released earlier in October recorded 11 mpox-related deaths in Sindh this year.
An outbreak was reported in Khairpur in April, including infections among newborns receiving intensive care at two hospitals. The outbreak raised concerns after earlier cases had largely involved people with a history of international travel.
Health authorities continue to monitor the spread of mpox across the province, with the latest case highlighting the importance of close attention to infections among young children.
