Three patients with the Monkeypox virus were identified in Pakistanupon arrival from the United Arab Emirates, the Health Ministry of the northern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa confirmed.
It is still unclear which variant was detected in the patients. All three patients have been quarantined.

Symptoms in patients

The 34-year-old man from Mardan arrived in Pakistan on August 3, developed symptoms shortly after arriving in Peshawar and went to the hospital for testing.
Monkeypox typically begins with flu-like symptoms, including fever, headache, muscle aches, and back pain. This is followed by swollen lymph nodes, which are a characteristic feature of the disease, and general fatigue. After a few days, a rash develops, starting on the face and spreading to other parts of the body. The rash progresses from flat spots to raised bumps and then to fluid-filled pustules that eventually crust over and fall off. The course of the disease is often similar to that of smallpox, but is usually milder. Severe cases can lead to complications, including secondary bacterial infections and, in rare cases, death.
In Pakistan, eleven cases have been reported since April 2023, one of which resulted in death.

Monkeypox is a global threat: WHO

The World Health Organization has declared the latest outbreak of the disease an international health emergency after a new variant of the virus was identified.
Transmission can occur between people through close contact with infected individuals, their respiratory droplets or contaminated materials. The recent increase in cases outside the traditionally affected regions, particularly in Central and West Africa, has raised alarm. This spread has been facilitated by international travel and increasing global connectivity.
Although the overall mortality rate is lower than that of smallpox, it can be significant in some cases, particularly in people with weakened immune systems or pregnant women. The symptoms of the disease can be severe and debilitating, posing a public health challenge.
Monkeypox is a viral disease caused by the monkeypox virus, which belongs to the genus Orthopoxvirus in the family Poxviridae. The virus was first identified in monkeys used for research in 1958. The first human case was reported in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Monkeypox is a zoonotic virus, meaning it can be transmitted from animals to humans. It mainly affects rodents and occasionally monkeys. Humans can become infected with the virus through direct contact with infected animals or their bodily fluids.
The disease presents with symptoms similar to smallpox, but is generally milder. They include fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, swollen lymph nodes, chills and exhaustion, followed by a rash that progresses from flat lesions to raised bumps and then pustules before crusting over. Severe cases can lead to complications such as secondary bacterial infections, respiratory problems and sometimes death.
Monkeypox is considered a global health emergency: what is it and why is it a global threat?