M. Waqar Bhatti
Islamabad: A 32-year-old man who arrived in Islamabad from a Gulf country has tested positive for Mpox, federal health officials confirmed on Thursday.
The patient landed at Islamabad International Airport yesterday and was subsequently sent to Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) for treatment while his samples were sent to NIH for diagnosis. The NIH after testing confirmed that the person is infected with Mpox.
According to National Institute of Health (NIH) officials, this marks the eighth Mpox case reported in Pakistan this year.
The infected individual, a resident of Upper Dir in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, is currently undergoing treatment at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS). Dr. Naseem Akhtar, head of the Infectious Diseases Department at PIMS, stated that the patient’s condition is stable and he is receiving the necessary care.
Federal authorities have emphasized the need for vigilance, particularly at international entry points, to prevent the further spread of the virus.
Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, is a viral disease characterized by fever, skin rashes, and swollen lymph nodes. Pakistan has reported sporadic cases of the virus in recent months, primarily among travelers returning from abroad.