Pakistan reports first mpox case of 2025

Test tube labelled “Monkeypox virus positive” are seen in this illustration. — Reuters/File

KP adviser says said patient shifted to Police Services Hospital.
Adds hospital sent patient’s samples to provincial reference lab.
Authorities seek details of other passengers from Peshawar airport.

Pakistan reported its first mpox case of 2025 on Saturday after the infectious disease was detected in a passenger returning from Dubai at Peshawar airport.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Health Adviser Ihtisham Ali said that the Public Health Reference Lab had confirmed the detection of the mpox virus and shifted the patient to Police Services Hospital.

The hospital sent the patient’s samples to the provincial reference lab. The manager of the Peshawar airport was also asked to provide details of other passengers via a letter.

It is noteworthy to mention here that the province has reported 10 mpox cases over the last three years, including two in 2023, seven in 2024 and one this year.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the recent spread of the virus a global emergency in August last year.

In 2023, Pakistan had confirmed nine cases of mpox, all among travellers returning from the Middle East and other countries.

Mpox is a viral disease related to the now-eradicated smallpox virus and can spread through close contact and through contaminated materials like sheets, clothing and needles, according to WHO.

How dangerous is it and who’s at risk?

The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has revealed that while some outbreaks of clade I mpox have killed up to 10% of people who get sick, more recent outbreaks have had lower death rates.

The fatality rate for clade II is less than 0.2%.

Those at risk of having more severe infections include infants, people with severely weakened immune systems and pregnant women.