Mpox virus detected in Pakistan as WHO declares global health emergency

16 August 2024, 11:49 | Updated: 16 August 2024, 11:58

Blood collection tubes monkeypox (MPOX) test positive results
The World Heath Organisation declared a global health emergency over the virus. Picture: Alamy

By Flaminia Luck

Pakistan's Health Ministry said it has identified a case of mpox, but sequencing is being done to determine whether it is a new variant, days after the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the spread of mpox a global health emergency.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

The case, in a man who had recently returned from a Middle Eastern country, is the first in Pakistan this year but the nature of the variant was yet to be determined.

The first case was reported on Thursday by authorities in Sweden.

The ministry said in a statement that the man who tested positive for mpox was from Mardan, a district in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province bordering Afghanistan.

It said the ministry has directed officials at border crossing points and airports to ensure strict surveillance and collect samples for medical tests if they see symptoms of the disease in any passenger returning from abroad.

It was unclear which Middle Eastern country the man had visited, and no cases of the new variant have yet been reported in that region.

The United Arab Emirates, however, has had 16 confirmed cases of mpox since 2022, according to the WHO.

The UAE is particularly affected by transnational outbreaks given its role as a hub connecting East and West with its long-haul carriers Emirates and Etihad.

Press conference where Sweden confirms its first case of the more contagious variant of mpox
Press conference where Sweden confirms its first case of the more contagious variant of mpox. Picture: Getty

The director of public health for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Dr Irshad Roghani, said the person infected with mpox in Pakistan has mild symptoms.

"Contact tracing of the affected person has been started and samples of more people are being obtained," he told The Associated Press.

Dr Roghani said that since 2022, 300 people have been tested in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, of whom two tested positive last year.

This is the first case detected this year.

Read more: Belarus president and key Putin ally Alexander Lukashenko urges end to war between Russia and Ukraine

Read more: Ministers accused of ‘favouring unions over pensioners’ as GPs ‘next to receive payout’ after rail deal

On Wednesday, the WHO said there have been more than 14,000 cases and 524 deaths in Africa this year, which already exceed last year's figures.

More than 96% of all cases and deaths have been in Congo.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Formula 1 Japanese Grand Prix 2025

Max Verstappen wins his first race of the season as he fends off Lando Norris at Japanese Grand Prix

A law that bans fake reviews and so called drip pricing for online shopping has come into force.

UK bans fake reviews and hidden fees in new law to protect online shoppers

Lucy Connolly was jailed for 31 months.

Tory councillor's wife who was jailed for inciting racial hatred after Southport attacks 'should be freed', says ex-PM

Chancellor Rachel Reeves said at last year's Budget that the move would raise £25 billion per year by 2029

Prices ‘pushed higher’ and warnings of job losses as National Insurance rise comes into effect

Video footage shows the convoy had emergency lights flashing when it was hit

Israel admits ‘mistakenly’ killing 15 aid workers after video leak contradicted official version of events

Police found two men stabbed on on Erconwald Street in East Acton. One of them died at the scene

Murder probe as man knifed to death in double stabbing in London street

Dan Norris, pictured here next to Keir Starmer has also been held on suspicion of misconduct in public office

Labour MP arrested on suspicion of rape and child sex offences

The victim, centre, and his two killers

Moment London knife victim, 22, buys drinks for his killers before they stab him to death in street

An armed Met counter-terror firearms unit at Downing Street

UK police chiefs ‘plan national counter-terrorism force’

Patrick Mullins aboard Nick Rockett after winning the Randox Grand Nationa

Nick Rockett wins 2025 Grand National at Aintree holding off last year's winner I Am Maximus

She was reportedly robbed outside an Italian restaurant in Cheshire

Wife of Man Utd goalkeeper Andre Onana ‘robbed of £62K handbag and Rolex’

Jaguar Land Rover has paused shipments to the US in the wake of 'Liberation Day' tariffs

Jaguar Land Rover halts shipments to US in wake of tariffs as Trump insists he'll win 'economic revolution'

The fire happened at Goldenbeach Holiday Park, Roman Bank, Ingoldmells.

Two people killed in caravan fire at holiday park in Lincolnshire

Easter eggs have been recalled over a potential risk of 'metal'

'Do not eat' warning as major chocolate brand recalls two Easter eggs amid fears they contain metal

Flowers and toys left on a swing seat to commemorate victims killed in Russia's missile attack on Friday

Death toll from Russian strike on Zelenskyy's home town rises as 18 confirmed dead - including nine children

Lucy Connolly

Tory councillor's wife who was jailed for racial hatred tweet after Southport attacks 'denied temporary release'