KARACHI: Experts in Pakistan on Thursday revealed that the Mpox outbreak was at a critical turning point as the virus moves beyond travellers and enters local communities.
Infectious disease specialists at the Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH) held a media roundtable pushing for urgent intervention following reports of local transmission in Karachi and a neonatal cluster in interior Sindh.
In a conversation with Pakistan TV Digital, experts revealed that the nature of the outbreak has shifted. While 2025 saw 53 cases mostly linked to international travel, 2026 has introduced a more "vicious" dynamic. The virus has entered healthcare settings and is now affecting the most vulnerable: newborn infants.
Dr. Fatima Mir, Professor of Paediatric Infectious Diseases at AKUH, confirmed a neonatal cluster in Sindh, particularly Khairpur, that has already claimed the lives of four infants.
"This is the first time we are seeing Mpox in very small children," Dr. Mir explained. "It was essentially an adult infection associated with travel... but some kids have died, and these are all newborns."
Experts are urging parents and physicians to distinguish Mpox from more common childhood illnesses like chickenpox. While both involve blisters, the differences are vital for diagnosis.
“Unlike chickenpox, these blisters are very painful," noted Dr. Faisal Mahmood, Professor of Infectious Diseases at AKUH.
Dr. Mir highlighted that Mpox lesions all appear at the same stage. "They come together, and they heal together. This is different from chickenpox, which comes in 'crops' — where you will have old, intermediate, and young lesions all at the same time."
They also added that the rash is characteristic, appearing as large nodular lesions on the face, palms, soles, and the diaper area.
While Mpox is not airborne, its ability to survive on surfaces makes it a threat in both homes and hospitals.
"Mpox spreads pretty much by contact," Dr. Mahmood told Pakistan TV Digital. He warned that indirect contact is a major factor. "If someone has these lesions and uses the same towel or bedsheets. They can spread the infection. We may be seeing cases in the hospital where equipment shared between people — like incubators — if not cleaned properly, may be spreading the virus."
With local transmission suspected in Karachi and an active outbreak in Khairpur, the window for containment is closing. The specialists outlined three immediate steps for the public and healthcare providers:
1. Immediate Isolation: If a child shows any unusual pimple or rash, they must be isolated from other children immediately.
2. Early Testing: Experts urged the public to contact the government for free PCR testing, which involves lancing a skin lesion under strict protective protocols.
3. Protect the Vulnerable: Newborns, pregnant women, and those with compromised immune systems (such as those with HIV or chronic heart and lung diseases) are at the highest risk for severe complications.
"We are at a moment where awareness can make the difference between containment and spread," Dr. Mahmood concluded. "Ignoring symptoms and poor infection control can lead to uncontrolled cross-infection. All of this is avoidable."
.jpg)
.jpg)
