A case of clade 2 mpox was detected in Pakistan

• The Clade 1b variant has caused global concern.
• New variant linked to growing epidemic in Africa.
• The Mpox outbreak was declared a public health emergency.
  

A case of the clade 2 mpox virus has been identified in Pakistan, the country’s health ministry said on Monday, adding that no cases of the clade 1b strain of the disease have been diagnosed.

Clade 1b has caused global concern because it appears to spread most easily through everyday close contact. A case of the variant was confirmed last week in Sweden and linked to a growing outbreak in Africa, the first sign of its spread outside the continent.

“So far, no cases of clade I have been reported in Pakistan,” said Sajid Hussain Shah, a spokesman for the ministry of national health services.

After a case of mpox was detected in the country last week, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif ordered effective screening at all airports, ports and borders and asked border health agencies to maintain comprehensive surveillance.

He also asked the National Center for Command and Operations (NCOC) to remain alert, conduct daily assessments and ensure availability of necessary equipment and kits for mpox assessment.

The World Health Organization declared the recent outbreak of the disease a public health emergency of international concern after the new variant was identified.

Last week, the WHO sounded the highest level of alert about the outbreak in Africa, after cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo spread to neighboring countries. There have been 27,000 cases and more than 1,100 deaths, mostly among children, in DR Congo since the current outbreak began in January 2023.

Global health officials last week confirmed an infection with the new strain of mpox in Sweden and linked it to a growing outbreak in Africa, the first sign of its spread outside the continent. The WHO has not urged any travel restrictions to limit the spread of mpox.

The disease presents with flu-like symptoms and purulent lesions. It is usually mild but can kill, and children, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of complications.