Pakistan Confirms Fourth Case Of Mpox; Philippines Reports Three New Infections

Pakistan has confirmed a fourth case of the deadly Mpox virus, adding to global concerns as the World Health Organization (WHO) recently declared the disease a global health emergency.

On Sunday, a 47-year-old man from Peshawar tested positive for Mpox after returning from the Gulf region. He is currently in isolation, and health officials have reported that his condition is stable.

The infection was confirmed by Pakistan’s Public Health Reference Laboratory. According to Dr. Irshad Ali Roghani, Public Health Director for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the patient is receiving treatment at the Police and Services Hospital (PSH) in Peshawar. He reassured the public, stating, “No local cases have been reported so far.”

He added that the province’s health department has established an integrated surveillance and response system to monitor Mpox.

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Pakistan reported its first suspected Mpox case on August 16. A 34-year-old man who had recently returned from Saudi Arabia was identified as carrying the Clade II strain, the same strain responsible for the 2022 outbreak.

Last week, officials at Peshawar airport confirmed the country’s second case, and a third case was detected on Saturday. This involved two travelers displaying symptoms of Mpox at Bacha Khan International Airport.

Dr. Shabana Saleem, Federal Director General of Health, highlighted the urgency of the situation by stating, “This is the fifth Mpox case reported in Pakistan this year and the fourth since WHO declared Mpox a global health emergency.” She emphasized the importance of vigilance, particularly among travelers from the Gulf, and called for “immediate action” to prevent further spread of the virus. As a precaution, authorities have increased screening protocols at airports nationwide.

Meanwhile, the Philippines has also reported three new Mpox cases, bringing the total number of active cases to eight this year. According to the Manila Times, two of these cases were detected in Metro Manila, while the third was found in the Calabarzon region. The Health Ministry reported that all three cases involved the milder MPXV Clade II variant.

These new infections underscore the need for global vigilance and coordinated efforts to combat the spread of Mpox.