Karachi: Health authorities in Karachi reported another Mpox case on Monday, the third confirmed infection detected within three days, taking the city’s total number of cases to 12 and adding to concerns among health authorities that the virus may now be spreading locally.
According to Sindh health department officials, the latest patient is a 26-year-old resident of the Defence area who tested positive for Mpox and was shifted to the isolation ward of the Sindh Infectious Diseases Hospital and Research Centre (SIDHRC) at NIPA for treatment and monitoring.
The latest case comes a day after authorities reported a 35-year-old resident of Landhi Mohabbat Nagar infected with the virus. Health officials had noted that the patient had no recent travel history, a finding that strengthened concerns about possible community transmission within Karachi.
Officials said that several of the recent Mpox patients reported in the city had not travelled abroad or to areas known for active outbreaks, suggesting that the virus may have been transmitted locally through close contact with infected individuals.
Epidemiologists consider the absence of travel history an important indicator when assessing whether an outbreak has entered the community transmission phase.
With the addition of the latest patient, Karachi’s cumulative Mpox caseload has risen to 12 this year. Most patients have been admitted to SIDHRC NIPA, which has been designated as the province’s primary treatment and isolation facility for infectious diseases.
Sindh health authorities have intensified surveillance and contact-tracing efforts to identify individuals who may have come into contact with confirmed patients. Teams are also monitoring suspected cases and advising healthcare facilities to remain vigilant for symptoms associated with the disease.
Mpox, previously known as monkeypox, is a viral disease that spreads through close physical contact with an infected person, contaminated materials or infected animals. Common symptoms include fever, headache, body aches, swollen lymph nodes and a characteristic rash that may develop into painful skin lesions.
Health experts warn that while most patients recover within a few weeks, the disease can cause serious complications in individuals with weakened immune systems, children and pregnant women.
Pakistan has witnessed a gradual increase in Mpox cases over the past two years, largely linked to international travel. However, health experts say the emergence of cases without travel history is a more worrying development because it may indicate that the virus is circulating within local communities.
Authorities have advised the public to seek immediate medical attention if they develop unexplained rashes, fever or swollen lymph nodes, particularly if they have been in close contact with a suspected or confirmed case.
Health officials have also urged citizens to follow preventive measures, including maintaining good personal hygiene, avoiding close physical contact with infected individuals, and promptly reporting symptoms to healthcare providers.
The Sindh Health Department said surveillance, case investigation and preventive measures were continuing across the city to contain the spread of the virus and prevent further transmission.
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