Hyderabad / Karachi, 2 October 2025 — Health authorities in Sindh have confirmed a second case of mpox (formerly monkeypox) in the province. The patient, a 28-year-old man, is currently under treatment at a private hospital in Hyderabad. The development has renewed concerns about viral spread, surveillance, and containment.

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Case Details & Clinical Presentation

Officials say symptoms began to appear around 15 September, with visible sores and rashes on the body, face, and throat. The Sindh Health Department reports that the individual had recently travelled to Dubai, fueling suspicion of importation rather than local transmission. A biological sample has been sent to a laboratory for confirmation and genetic analysis. Close contacts of the patient are being traced and placed under observation.

This marks the second documented mpox infection in Sindh within recent times, adding urgency to containment and public health measures.

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Context & Public Health Implications

• Previously, Sindh had reported isolated mpox cases, often linked to travel history. The fact that this is a second case in the same region raises questions about possible undetected chains of transmission.
• In March 2025, the Sindh government moved to strengthen screening at Jinnah International Airport and interdepartmental coordination after detection of a prior mpox case in Karachi.
• Globally, mpox outbreaks since 2022 have been dominated by Clade II variants. Pakistan has already recorded cases in past years, mostly tied to travel from Gulf countries.

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Risks, Challenges & What to Watch

1. Importation vs Local Transmission
   If further cases arise without travel links, that suggests local spread — a far more serious public health concern. Authorities must expand surveillance.
2. Contact Tracing & Isolation Capacity
   Success depends on how quickly contacts are traced, isolated, and monitored. Delay or gaps can allow the virus to spread stealthily.
3. Laboratory Confirmation & Sequencing
   Identifying the viral clade or variant is crucial. If a more transmissible sub-variant appears, containment becomes harder.
4. Public Awareness & Stigma
   Mpox can be stigmatized due to skin lesions, so clear communication and destigmatization are key to cooperation and reporting.
5. Airport & Border Screening
   Given the travel history, strengthening airport health protocols and cross-border coordination remain priorities.
6. Healthcare Preparedness
   Hospitals and clinics must be ready with isolation wards, PPE, diagnostic capacity, and training for staff to avoid nosocomial spread.