Infectious Disease Experts Warn of Local Mpox Transmission, Urge Immediate Awareness and Action
By Rafiq Vayani
KARACHI: Mpox may no longer be arriving in Pakistan solely from abroad. With suspected local transmission in Karachi and an active outbreak in Khairpur, Sindh, infectious disease specialists at the Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH) are calling on healthcare providers and policymakers to treat mpox as an urgent and evolving public health threat.
At a media briefing on Wednesday, AKUH experts highlighted the shift in outbreak patterns. While Pakistan recorded 53 confirmed mpox cases in 2025—mostly travel-related—early data from 2026 suggests local spread. One of the two cases confirmed in Karachi points to possible community transmission, and the Khairpur outbreak indicates that the virus has reached healthcare settings, exposing gaps in infection prevention and control outside major urban centres.
“We are at a critical juncture where awareness can determine whether we contain the virus or allow it to spread. Both healthcare professionals and the public need to recognise symptoms early and act immediately,” said Dr. Faisal Mahmood, Professor of Infectious Diseases at AKUH.
Mpox primarily spreads through close, skin-to-skin contact and via contaminated materials such as bedding or clothing. Transmission can also occur through respiratory droplets during prolonged exposure, from mother to child during pregnancy or birth, and, in specific cases, via unsterilised medical equipment. It is not considered airborne.
Common symptoms include fever, swollen lymph nodes, and distinctive rashes or lesions on the face, palms, soles, and genital area. Most healthy individuals recover within two to four weeks, but newborns, pregnant women, and immunocompromised patients face a higher risk of severe illness.
“Mpox spreads through direct contact and respiratory exposure. Delays in recognising symptoms, failure to isolate, and lapses in infection control can lead to uncontrolled cross-infection—yet all of this is preventable,” said Dr. Fatima Mir, Professor of Paediatric Infectious Diseases at AKUH.
AKUH experts advised anyone exhibiting mpox-like symptoms to isolate immediately and consult a healthcare provider. Individuals with confirmed or suspected exposure should monitor for symptoms over 21 days. Hospitals and clinics are urged to strengthen infection prevention measures, particularly in neonatal and maternity units, without delay.
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