Islamabad, Pakistan – The first two reported cases of monkeypox in Pakistan have been reported as recovered, according to officials of the Federal Ministry of Health. One of the patients was treated at the Pakistan Institute Of Medical Sciences (PIMS) Hospital and has since been discharged, while the other has been in quarantine at home and is in stable condition. However, two new suspected cases of monkeypox have been reported at Lahore’s General Hospital, with the patients showing symptoms including fever, red spots, and blisters.
Infectious disease experts have expressed concern that many cases of chickenpox are being mistaken for monkeypox, urging the health ministry to take note of increasing cases of smallpox. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has offered assistance to Pakistan to contain the spread of the virus, with no evidence of localised transmission of monkeypox in the country found so far. WHO also did not recommend any restrictions on trade based on currently available information regarding monkeypox outbreaks.
Monkeypox is a viral illness caused by the monkeypox virus, which can be transmitted to humans through physical contact with an infectious person or contaminated materials, or with infected animals. Symptoms include a skin rash or mucosal lesions, fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, low energy, and swollen lymph nodes.