KP Hospitals Put on High Alert as Mpox Cases Increase

Health authorities have advised all public and private hospitals in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to remain vigilant for mpox following the detection of more than two dozen cases in the province over the past year.

The advisory was issued after an increase in suspected case referrals and laboratory-confirmed infections recorded through provincial surveillance and diagnostic services. Officials said a total of 26 patients have been identified, including 18 men and six women.

Health officials said mpox infections were initially linked to individuals arriving from Gulf countries who had tested positive for the disease before being deported to Pakistan. However, recent cases suggest possible local transmission, with some infections suspected to have been transported from Punjab.

Punjab had initially reported no mpox cases but later confirmed more than 25 infections late last year. Officials believe the rise in Punjab may have contributed to the increase in cases in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Hospitals have been directed to promptly isolate suspected patients and follow infection prevention and control measures while awaiting test results.

Clinicians have been advised to suspect mpox in patients presenting with symptoms such as rash, fever, body aches, and swollen lymph nodes, particularly if there is a history of close contact with a suspected case.

Particular attention has been requested from dermatology departments, pediatrics units, sexual health services, and emergency or urgent care departments, where initial cases are often identified.

Health facilities have also been instructed to collect lesion swab samples according to national guidelines and refer them to the Public Health Reference Laboratory for confirmation through real-time PCR testing.

Officials said hospitals should follow the consolidated mpox guidelines issued by the National Institute of Health (NIH) in Islamabad for case definitions, sampling procedures, and outbreak response.

The pattern of cases shows an increase in 2025 compared with 2024, with continued detections reported in early 2026.

Health authorities said the rise in cases and the absence of travel history in several recent infections suggest possible community transmission, raising concerns that mpox could become endemic if surveillance and containment measures are not strengthened.