Karachi reports first mpox case

Sindh health authorities confirmed Karachi’s first case of mpox after a 28-year-old resident of Shah Latif Town tested positive, officials said on Saturday.

According to the Sindh health department, the patient contracted the virus from his wife, who had recently returned from abroad with symptoms. The patient has been placed in an isolation ward, with strict precautions in place to prevent further transmission.

In response, health officials have intensified screening at airports and border entry points to curb the spread of the virus. Authorities have urged the public to remain vigilant as they monitor the situation closely.

Pakistan reported its first mpox case of 2025 on January 25, when a passenger arriving from the Gulf tested positive at Peshawar airport.

Mpox, a viral disease related to smallpox, spreads through close contact and contaminated materials.

While the fatality rate varies by strain, infants, immunocompromised individuals, and pregnant women are at higher risk of severe illness.

Symptoms include fever, chills, fatigue, headaches, and a painful rash that scabs over in a few weeks. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared mpox a global emergency in August 2024.