Pakistan has reported its first mpox case of the year after a 34-year-old man who recently traveled from Saudi Arabia tested positive for the virus. The man, a resident of Mardan, arrived in Pakistan on August 3 and began experiencing symptoms shortly after reaching Peshawar. The diagnosis was confirmed by Khyber Medical University in Peshawar, with the positive result verified on August 13.
Health officials are now engaged in contact tracing to identify and monitor individuals who were in close proximity to the patient, including fellow passengers on his flight from Saudi Arabia. This marks the first confirmed mpox case in Pakistan for 2024.
Previously, three passengers at Karachi's Jinnah International Airport were diagnosed with mpox in 2023. These patients, all Pakistani citizens aged between 30 and 45, were admitted to an infectious disease hospital.
In response to global concerns, China has announced it will closely monitor individuals and goods entering the country for mpox over the next six months. Last year, China classified mpox as a Category B infectious disease, allowing for emergency measures such as restricting gatherings and sealing off areas during outbreaks. Other diseases in this category include Covid-19, AIDS, and SARS.
Globally, mpox continues to raise alarm. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports over 14,000 cases and 524 deaths in Africa this year, surpassing last year’s figures. The majority of these cases have occurred in Congo, where a new, potentially more transmissible variant is under scrutiny.
In Europe, Sweden recently identified a new variant of mpox in a person who had traveled to Africa and sought medical care upon returning to Stockholm. The WHO's European regional office has warned of potential further cases in Europe, urging against travel restrictions and stigmatization.
Mpox, also known as monkeypox, was first identified in monkeys in 1958. It is similar to smallpox but less severe. Symptoms include fever, chills, and body aches, with more serious cases leading to lesions on the face, hands, chest, and genitals. The virus, which has spread to over 70 countries, initially caused outbreaks primarily in central and West Africa but has since become a global concern.
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