Pakistan reports its 2nd mpox case

By Islamuddin Sajid

ISLAMABAD (AA) - Pakistan on Friday reported its second mpox case in the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province, official said.

The patient arrived from a gulf country and health authorities shifted him to a hospital in Peshawar, state-run Pakistan Television reported, citing Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed, coordinator to the prime minister on health.

Islamabad last week reported its first case of the year from the Mardan district of KP province, when a patient arriving from a gulf country tested positive for mpox.

Since 2022, Pakistan has reported 12 mpox cases and one death.

The World Health Organization (WHO) on Aug. 14 declared the mpox situation a "public health emergency of international concern."

Mpox is a viral disease that can spread through close contact as well as through contaminated materials like sheets, clothing and needles, according to WHO.