First suspected Mpox case reported in PIMS Islamabad

ISLAMABAD: A suspected case of Mpox has emerged at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad, as confirmed by the hospital’s spokesperson.

The patient, who recently returned from abroad, has been admitted to a designated isolation ward at PIMS.

Dr. Naseem Akhtar, a senior official at the hospital, stated that the individual is under observation and receiving appropriate medical care. This is the first suspected Mpox case reported in Islamabad this year.

To prevent any potential virus spread, the hospital has enforced strict infection control measures. Mpox, which presents symptoms similar to smallpox, such as fever, rash, and swollen lymph nodes, is being closely monitored by health authorities.

The patient’s identity and nationality remain undisclosed, and additional tests are being conducted to confirm the diagnosis.

Recent international concerns have been raised about a newly identified variant of Mpox, first confirmed outside Africa in Sweden on August 15. This strain appears to spread more easily through close contact, leading to increased global vigilance.

In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, local health authorities confirmed one case of monkeypox in the province. The national health ministry has intensified contact tracing and airport surveillance, deploying extra health personnel to enhance traveler screening.

Federal Ministry of Health spokesperson Sajid Shah noted that while the new variant has not yet been officially identified in the Islamabad patient, genome sequencing is underway to determine the specific strain.