Karachi: Sindh health authorities have confirmed a second case of Mpox in Karachi, warning that the outbreak in the province is no longer limited to isolated incidents as local transmission appears to be underway, particularly in Khairpur and parts of the provincial capital.
According to an official statement issued by the Sindh Health Department on April 9, a 20-year-old resident of Buffer Zone in Karachi Central has tested positive for Mpox after developing symptoms including high fever, headache and characteristic skin lesions on April 2. The infection was confirmed on April 8 through PCR testing conducted at Dow University of Health Sciences laboratory.
The patient has been shifted to the Sindh Institute of Infectious Diseases where he is being kept in an isolation ward. Officials said his condition is stable and he is under continuous medical supervision to prevent further spread of the virus.
Health authorities described the case as part of a growing pattern, as multiple infections have already been reported from Khairpur and adjoining districts, where an outbreak among children and neonates has raised serious public health concerns. Experts believe that weak infection prevention and control practices and delayed reporting have contributed to the spread of the virus within communities.
On the directives of provincial health minister, a special investigation team has been constituted under the supervision of focal person Dr Shankar to trace contacts and assess the extent of transmission. Immediate family members of the patient, including his parents and a cousin, have been identified and placed under strict surveillance. So far, none of them have developed symptoms.
Officials said the confirmation of a second case in Karachi indicates that the virus is not confined to a single geographic cluster and may be spreading through close human contact, reinforcing concerns that local transmission chains have already been established in Sindh.
All public and private healthcare facilities have been directed to strictly implement infection prevention and control protocols, including use of personal protective equipment, isolation of suspected cases and adherence to standard operating procedures to limit exposure among healthcare workers and patients.
The health department has urged clinicians to maintain a high index of suspicion in patients presenting with fever and unexplained rashes, particularly in areas where cases have already been detected.
Public health experts warn that the situation requires a coordinated, Covid-19-like response, including rapid detection, isolation, contact tracing and transparent reporting, to contain further spread of the virus.
Authorities have advised the public not to panic but to remain vigilant. Citizens experiencing symptoms such as high fever, body aches or unusual skin lesions have been asked to seek immediate medical attention at nearest government health facilities.
The provincial government said it is closely monitoring the evolving situation and mobilising all available resources to contain the outbreak, as concerns grow that delayed interventions could allow the virus to spread further across Sindh.
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