Mpox cases rise in Sindh as three new infections confirmed

Mpox cases have resurfaced in Sindh with three new infections confirmed at the Sindh Infectious Diseases Hospital in NIPA, while health authorities are awaiting test results for another suspected case.

Mpox cases have resurfaced in Sindh with three new infections confirmed at the Sindh Infectious Diseases Hospital in NIPA while health authorities are awaiting test results for another suspected case.

According to hospital sources four suspected Mpox cases were reported at the facility, with laboratory testing confirming the virus in three patients. Two of the confirmed cases are from interior Sindh and include a father and his daughter while the third patient is a 46-year-old resident of Karachi’s Federal B Area.

Sources said PCR tests confirmed Mpox in all three patients. The test result of the fourth suspected patient is still awaited.

With the latest cases, the number of confirmed Mpox infections reported in Sindh during the current year has reached 39. Karachi’s cumulative number of confirmed cases has risen to 13.

Mpox is a viral disease caused by the monkeypox virus, which belongs to the same broader virus family as smallpox. Health experts say the infection can cause a range of symptoms, with skin lesions and painful or itchy rashes among the most prominent signs.

Other symptoms may include fever, headache, muscle and body aches, weakness and swollen lymph nodes. Lesions can appear on the face, hands, feet, mouth, throat and other parts of the body.

Symptoms can develop within 21 days after exposure, although the timing can vary from person to person. People who develop symptoms or believe they have been exposed are advised to seek medical attention and follow public health guidance.

The virus can spread through close physical contact with an infected person. Direct contact with Mpox lesions, sores or affected skin can result in transmission. It may also spread through contaminated clothing, towels, bedding and other items that have come into contact with an infected person.

Health experts recommend avoiding close physical contact with people who have suspected or confirmed Mpox until they have recovered. Patients should remain isolated from others during the infectious period and follow medical advice until they are considered safe to resume normal contact.

Good hand hygiene is also important. Regular handwashing and avoiding contact with potentially contaminated objects and surfaces can help reduce the risk of transmission.

The emergence of new cases in Sindh highlights the need for continued disease surveillance and timely testing, particularly when patients present with characteristic symptoms. Early identification can help healthcare providers manage patients appropriately and reduce the risk of further transmission.

Health authorities and hospitals are expected to monitor suspected cases and confirm infections through laboratory testing. Residents are encouraged to remain alert to symptoms while avoiding unnecessary close contact with individuals who may be infected.