ISLAMABAD: Three passengers arriving at Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport on Sunday have been suspected of having mpox, a viral disease, a local news channel reported citing sources. The suspected persons have been transferred to Sindh’s Infectious Diseases Hospital for further examination and isolation.
The passengers arrived in Karachi on the same day, prompting health officials to act swiftly. The suspected cases have been placed in an isolation ward at the hospital while awaiting test results. The move comes amid growing concerns over the global mpox outbreak, which has recently seen a surge in cases and fatalities.
Mpox is characterized by flu-like symptoms and the development of pus-filled lesions. While often mild, it can lead to serious health complications, particularly for children, pregnant women, and individuals with weakened immune systems.
The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the recent mpox outbreak a public health emergency of international concern in August following the identification of a new variant.
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In Pakistan, the confirmed cases of mpox currently stand at six, with the majority reported in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. The latest suspects are the first reported cases in Karachi, highlighting the potential spread of the virus to major urban centers.
The outbreak, which began in January 2023, has seen 27,000 cases and over 1,100 deaths, primarily among children, in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo).
