Health department issues alert as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa confirms 26 mpox cases

PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) health department has issued an advisory to all public and private hospitals to remain alert for mpox cases, following the confirmation of more than two dozen infections in the province over the past year.

According to health officials, a total of 26 mpox cases have been recorded in KP during the last twelve months. Of these, 18 patients were men and six were women. The advisory comes in response to a recent increase in suspected case referrals and laboratory-confirmed detections, which have been identified through provincial surveillance and diagnostic services.

Officials stated that the zoonotic infection was initially linked to Gulf countries, with cases detected among individuals who were deported after testing positive for mpox. However, recent trends indicate the emergence of local infections, which are suspected to have been transmitted from Punjab.

Health officials noted that Punjab had initially reported no mpox cases, but later announced the detection of more than 25 cases late last year. They suggested that this development may have contributed to the rise in mpox cases now being seen in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The health department has emphasized the importance of timely isolation and testing of suspected mpox patients to prevent further spread of the disease. Hospitals have been instructed to remain vigilant and adhere to the recommended protocols for managing potential cases.

Mpox is a zoonotic infection that can be transmitted from animals to humans and between humans. The health department continues to monitor the situation closely and has called for increased awareness and preparedness among healthcare providers across the province.