In a concerning development, three passengers arriving in Karachi were suspected of having monkeypox, according to sources cited by Geo News on Sunday. The individuals had returned from Middle Eastern countries and were immediately transferred to Sindh’s Infectious Diseases Hospital.
Authorities have placed the passengers in isolation, where they will remain until test results confirm their status. This brings the number of suspected monkeypox cases under scrutiny, with the confirmed tally standing at six across Pakistan, primarily in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Monkeypox, also known as Mpox, is a viral infection that causes flu-like symptoms and skin lesions. While it is generally mild, it can pose severe risks to vulnerable populations such as children, pregnant women, and those with compromised immune systems.
Earlier this year, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the disease a public health emergency due to its rapid spread. The current outbreak, which began in January 2023, has resulted in over 27,000 reported cases and more than 1,100 deaths, predominantly in the Democratic Republic of Congo.