Health officials have confirmed a new case of monkeypox in Pakistan, involving a 42-year-old resident of Attock who arrived in Islamabad from Dubai on August 15.
The patient showed symptoms during routine screening by Border Health Services at the airport and was immediately shifted to PIMS Hospital. The National Institute of Health (NIH) confirmed the diagnosis on August 18.
However, officials reported that the patient fled the PIMS isolation ward but was later traced with the help of the health department and placed under home isolation, where his condition remains stable.
According to NIH, Pakistan has now recorded 15 cases of monkeypox since the World Health Organization declared it a global health emergency in August 2024.
About Monkeypox
- Caused by the Mpox virus
- Likely transmitted by African rodents and non-human primates
- Symptoms: Fever followed by a rash (progressing from macules → papules → vesicles → pustules → scabs), along with headache, muscle aches, exhaustion, and swollen lymph nodes
- Incubation: 5–21 days (typically 7–14)
- Duration: 2–4 weeks
