ISALMABAD: Pakistan's Karachi has reported its first case of mpox in 2026, local media reported on Tuesday citing hospital sources.
A 31-year-old man who returned from abroad was screened at Karachi airport, where his symptoms raised suspicion of infection. He was immediately taken to the Sindh Infectious Diseases Hospital for further evaluation, Pakistan's leading daily 'The Express Tribune' reported.
The patient was admitted to the hospital, where he underwent medical examination and testing. Medical Superintendent Dr Waheed Rajput said that patient tested positive for mpox. However, he was discharged from the hospital within two days after he showed improvement.
On February 7, Pakistan reported its second death related to mpox, after a 53-year-old man from Faisalabad, who was also suffering from HIV and hepatitis B and C, died while undergoing treatment at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS).
According to the hospital and health authorities, the patient was admitted to PIMS with extensive skin and genital lesions consistent with mpox, Pakistan's leading media outlet Geo News reported. However, he died on February 7 while undergoing treatment at PIMS. This marked the second mpox-related death in Pakistan so far.