Pakistan Records First Mpox Clade 2 Case Amid Global Outbreak

Pakistan has reported its first case of the mpox virus clade 2, while no clade 1 cases have been detected. This strain has raised global concerns due to its transmissibility. The World Health Organization has declared it a public health emergency, with the outbreak mainly affecting African nations and spreading to Sweden.


Devdiscourse News Desk | Updated: 19-08-2024 17:17 IST | Created: 19-08-2024 17:17 IST
Pakistan Records First Mpox Clade 2 Case Amid Global Outbreak
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Pakistan detected its first case of the mpox virus clade 2, the Ministry of Health announced on Monday. No cases of the earlier clade 1 strain have been reported.

Clade 2 has caused global alarm due to its ease of transmission via close contact. A recent case in Sweden was linked to an expanding outbreak in Africa, marking its spread beyond the continent for the first time. "As of now, there have been no reported cases of Clade 1 in Pakistan," stated Sajid Hussain Shah, spokesman for the Ministry of National Health Services.

The World Health Organization declared the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern after identifying the new variant. Last week, the WHO issued its highest alert level over the expanding cases in Africa, where the Democratic Republic of Congo has reported over 27,000 cases and more than 1,100 child deaths since January 2023. Symptoms include flu-like signs and pus-filled lesions, with higher risk for children, pregnant women, and those with weakened immune systems.

(With inputs from agencies.)

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