Islamabad: As Mpox cases continue to emerge in Khairpur and begin surfacing in other districts of Sindh, the provincial health authorities have directed all public and private hospitals to establish dedicated Mpox Response Units and round-the-clock public information desks, linking them with Rescue 1122 for immediate case management and referrals.
The directive, issued by the Directorate General Health Services Sindh, declares the situation “most urgent” and instructs District Health Officers and medical superintendents to ensure immediate preparedness amid growing concerns that the outbreak is no longer limited to isolated cases and may be spreading locally.
Under the directives, hospitals have been asked to set up clearly identified Mpox Response Units with proper visibility, signage and trained staff to facilitate early detection and management of suspected cases. In addition, 24/7 public information and facilitation desks are to be established to guide patients and attendants on symptoms, reporting mechanisms and referral pathways.
All such desks must be formally linked with Rescue 1122 services to ensure prompt response, safe transportation and coordinated referral of suspected Mpox patients. Authorities have also been directed to ensure strict compliance with infection prevention and control protocols across healthcare facilities, amid warnings from experts that weak infection control practices are contributing to the spread of the virus.
The notification further requires hospitals and district authorities to disseminate awareness regarding Mpox symptoms and preventive measures, deploy trained personnel for risk communication, and improve coordination between hospitals, surveillance teams and emergency services. Compliance reports have been made mandatory within 48 hours.
The government’s move comes as health officials confirm a steady rise in suspected and confirmed Mpox cases in Khairpur, with reports indicating that the infection has begun appearing in other parts of Sindh.
According to provincial authorities, at least seven newborn deaths have been reported in the district, with laboratory confirmation of Mpox infection in several cases, though officials maintain that underlying complications such as prematurity and low birth weight contributed to the fatalities.
Health experts, including pediatricians and infectious disease specialists, warn that the virus appears to be spreading at the community level, particularly among vulnerable groups such as children and newborns. They caution that gaps in infection control, delayed detection and weak coordination between health facilities are allowing the outbreak to expand quietly.
The World Health Organization has also offered to provide Mpox vaccines for targeted use if required, officials said, adding that vaccination would be limited to high-risk groups, including healthcare workers and close contacts, as the outbreak is still considered to be in its early phase.
Medical experts have also recommended enhanced surveillance, including screening of suspected pediatric cases for co-infections such as HIV, to better understand transmission dynamics and vulnerabilities.
Officials say surveillance has been intensified across Sindh, with suspected cases being monitored in multiple districts. However, concerns persist among health professionals regarding delayed reporting, limited transparency and the need for a more coordinated national response to contain the outbreak before it escalates further.