Fifth Mpox case confirmed in KP, says health minister

On Wednesday, Syed Qasim Ali Shah, Minister of Health for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, announced the detection of a new Mpox case in the province, bringing the total number to five.

Mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) is a viral illness characterised by flu-like symptoms and pus-filled lesions. Although it is typically mild, it can be severe or even fatal in some cases.

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The latest patient, a 33-year-old man, arrived from a Gulf country last week via Islamabad International Airport. After traveling to Peshawar and staying at a hotel, he sought treatment at a private clinic and was subsequently referred to Khyber Teaching Hospital. Samples were sent to the Public Health Reference Lab, which confirmed the presence of the mpox virus.

Moreover, the patient is currently in quarantine at his home in Lower Dir. He had no contact with relatives and only interacted with fellow flight passengers upon arrival in Pakistan. The District Health Officer in Lower Dir is monitoring his condition.