Pakistan has recorded its second death linked to mpox, health officials confirmed, with the latest case providing strong evidence of local community transmission within the country.
Patient Profile and Fatal Outcome
A 53-year-old man from Faisalabad died on February 7 while undergoing treatment at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad. Hospital authorities reported the patient presented with severe, widespread skin and genital lesions consistent with mpox infection.
The deceased had a complex medical history, being a known HIV patient who was also co-infected with both hepatitis B and C. Medical professionals involved in his care noted his immune system was severely compromised, with an extremely low CD4 count. He had reportedly begun antiretroviral therapy only months before his death.
Evidence of Domestic Spread
Health officials emphasized the patient had no recent international travel history, indicating the mpox virus is circulating within Pakistan’s population. “The absence of travel history in this case points to ongoing local transmission,” stated authorities from the federal health ministry and National Institute of Health.
This development has heightened concerns among public health experts about domestic spread, with clear signs of community transmission now evident. Pakistan recorded 53 confirmed mpox cases last year, primarily detected through surveillance at entry points and hospitals.
Vulnerability of Immunocompromised Individuals
The death marks the country’s second mpox-related fatality, following an initial death reported in Islamabad in December 2023. Both fatalities occurred in patients with significant co-morbidities, particularly HIV infection.
Public health experts note that mpox, which spreads through close physical contact including skin-to-skin contact, can cause particularly severe illness in individuals with compromised immune systems. The patient in this latest case had experienced symptoms for approximately one month before hospital admission.
Public Health Response and Recommendations
Health authorities have initiated contact tracing to identify and monitor individuals potentially exposed to the patient. Officials stress the need for strengthened surveillance, early detection systems, and enhanced infection control measures.
Medical professionals are urged to maintain heightened awareness for early recognition of mpox, particularly in patients presenting with unexplained rashes or genital lesions. The government has clarified that mpox is not an airborne disease like COVID-19, and basic precautions including avoiding close contact with suspected cases and seeking prompt medical attention for unusual symptoms can reduce transmission risk.
Experts emphasize the importance of early testing, timely isolation of suspected cases, and prompt treatment initiation, especially among high-risk groups including immunocompromised individuals.
