A 32-year-old individual has been admitted to Nipa Infectious Diseases Hospital in Karachi after exhibiting symptoms consistent with monkeypox.
The patient, who recently traveled from Jeddah to Karachi, developed a maculopapular rash across their body, leading health officials to send samples to a laboratory for further testing.
The health department has confirmed that they are closely monitoring the situation and taking all necessary precautions while awaiting test results to determine if the patient has contracted monkeypox. Hospital staff are following strict protocols to manage and isolate the case, ensuring the safety of both the patient and the public.
A spokesperson from the health department stated, “We are treating this case with the utmost seriousness and are prepared for all possible outcomes.”
Currently, there are two confirmed cases of monkeypox in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, from Mardan and Nowshera, with another two suspected cases in Peshawar awaiting test results. In response to the situation, authorities have called for effective screening at all entry and exit points of the country and the provision of isolation facilities for suspected passengers. Regular cleaning and disinfection of airport lounges have also been emphasized.
The first cases of monkeypox outside of Africa were reported this month in Sweden and Pakistan. The virus has three known strains, with the new Clade 1b strain being more deadly and transmissible. This prompted the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare an international health emergency, the agency’s highest alert level.
While monkeypox infections surged globally in May 2022, cases have since subsided. However, the Democratic Republic of Congo remains the epicenter of the epidemic, with around 16,000 cases recorded and 548 deaths reported so far.
