For the second time in as many years, mpox has been labeled a global health emergency. The emergence of a new variant, clade lb, has alarmed health authorities worldwide due to its rapid spread and the lack of comprehensive data about its characteristics.
This variant has been detected in several countries outside Africa, with Pakistan now among the affected nations. On Sunday, the country reported its fifth case of mpox, raising concerns about the virus’s proliferation.
According to Geo News, Peshawar, a city in northwestern Pakistan, is quickly becoming the “epicenter” of the outbreak within the country. The latest patient, a 47-year-old man, tested positive after being isolated by Border Health Services on August 29, as confirmed by Pakistan’s National Health Service (NHS) Ministry spokesperson, Sajid Shah.
The patient had returned from an unnamed Gulf state, and was reportedly placed in isolation at Bacha Khan International Airport after exhibiting symptoms consistent with mpox, according to Wion News.
“This marks the fifth case of mpox in Pakistan this year and the fourth since the WHO designated the outbreak a global health emergency,” stated Federal Director General of Health, Dr. Shabana Saleem, on Sunday, as per ANI. All reported cases have originated from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, which is predominantly tribal.
Just a day earlier, on August 28, a 51-year-old man who had returned from Saudi Arabia was also isolated in Peshawar due to similar concerns, as noted by a report from Pakistan’s Dawn.
The Emerging Epicenter of Mpox
The latest case has heightened concerns about the virus’s transmission among travelers returning from the Middle East. Dr. Saleem voiced serious concerns about the re-emergence of mpox in Peshawar, stressing the need for immediate intervention.
“Peshawar is showing signs of becoming a hub for mpox cases. This is a troubling development, and we are intensifying our efforts to curb further spread,” she stated. Dr. Saleem also emphasized the importance of heightened vigilance, noting that all recent cases have involved individuals with a history of travel to Gulf countries.
Strengthened Preventative Measures
In response to the growing threat, Pakistani authorities have ramped up preventive measures, with stricter screening protocols now in place at all airports, as reported by Geo News.
“We are taking no chances. Effective screening procedures are being implemented nationwide,” assured Dr. Saleem, highlighting the government’s commitment to public health. Federal and provincial health officials are working closely to monitor the situation and ensure swift action is taken as needed.
“We are working tirelessly to ensure that all necessary precautions are in place and effective. The Ministry of Health is closely monitoring the situation and is ready to respond to any new developments,” Dr. Saleem added. The rise in mpox cases in Peshawar has sparked concern among health professionals and the general public.
There have been calls for heightened public awareness and stricter travel regulations, as reported by Geo News. The Federal Director General of Health urged the public to remain vigilant and to adhere to health advisories, particularly for those returning from regions with a high risk of mpox.
“Public cooperation is vital in preventing the spread of mpox,” she warned, adding, “Together, we can stop this virus from gaining a stronger foothold.”
Mpox in Other Asian Countries
Mpox has continued to spread rapidly in other regions. On August 22, a health official in Thailand confirmed the first case of the clade lb strain. According to Reuters, the patient was a 66-year-old European man who had traveled from an African country where the virus was prevalent.
In Singapore, 13 cases of the Clade 2 mpox strain have been identified this year. The city-state’s health ministry has noted that all reported cases are of the “less severe” Clade 2 variety.
The Philippines also reported two additional cases of the milder Clade 2 strain, bringing the total number of active cases to three. The newly confirmed cases involved a 37-year-old male in Metro Manila and a 32-year-old male from the capital, both showing characteristic skin lesions. These cases bring the total number of laboratory-confirmed cases in the Philippines to 12 since July 2022.
Other Nations on High Alert
While India has not yet reported any mpox cases, the country remains on high alert. The Indian health ministry has heightened surveillance at all international airports and land borders, especially those adjacent to Bangladesh and Pakistan.
To prepare for potential mpox cases, the ministry has designated three central government-run hospitals in New Delhi and has approved three domestically developed kits for detecting mpox.
Following the second reported case in Pakistan, China also enhanced its surveillance at ports of entry. Measures include the sanitization of aircraft, vessels, and cargo arriving from countries with confirmed mpox cases, according to local reports. Similarly, Japan and South Korea are on high alert.
Recent Developments in Mpox Management
Mpox is caused by the monkeypox virus, which belongs to the Orthopoxvirus genus. This family of viruses also includes the variola virus (which causes smallpox), the cowpox virus, and the vaccinia virus.
Common symptoms of mpox include skin lesions, fever, headache, muscle and back pain, fatigue, and swollen lymph nodes. The virus spreads through physical contact with an infected person, materials, or animals.
In response to the ongoing crisis, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has issued an emergency tender for securing mpox vaccines in collaboration with the Gavi vaccine alliance, Africa CDC, and the WHO. According to a joint statement released on August 31, UNICEF will establish conditional supply agreements with vaccine manufacturers, potentially securing up to 12 million doses through 2025.
Earlier in August, the WHO declared mpox a global public health emergency following an outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo that has since spread to neighboring countries. To date, Congo has reported over 18,000 suspected cases and 629 deaths, while Burundi has confirmed more than 150 cases, according to WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
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