PESHAWAR: The health department has confirmed second mpox case in a five-month-old child on arrival at Bacha Khan International Airport here on Thursday.

Adviser to CM on health Ihtesham Ali has confirmed the detection of the second mpox case of 2025 at the airport. This brings the total number of reported mpox cases in the province to 11 since 2022.

Providing details about the latest case, the adviser stated that the Public Health Reference Lab at Khyber Medical University has confirmed the presence of mpox virus in a five-month-old infant. The female child had recently arrived in Pakistan at with her parents from Qatar.

Following the confirmation of the case, the department has initiated screening for the child’s parents to ensure their health and safety. Furthermore, a letter has been sent to the airport authorities, requesting passenger details for those who traveled with the patient to ensure comprehensive surveillance.

The adviser emphasised that swift measures were being taken to prevent the spread of the virus and safeguard public health.

Officials said that the child has been isolated at Services Hospital where a dedicated ward has been established for the mpox patients to constantly monitor their health status. The patients are discharged from the isolation ward only after they test negative for the zoonotic ailment, they said.

Published in Dawn, January 31st, 2025