Mpox Cases Rise in Pakistan, Philippines Amid Global Health Concerns

On Monday, Pakistan reported its seventh mpox case of the year, Anadolu Agency reported.

A 44-year-old man from the Gujarat district of Punjab tested positive after returning from a Gulf state. He is currently stable at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences in Islamabad. This case marks the sixth since the WHO declared mpox a “public health emergency of international concern” on August 14.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Department of Health announced three additional mpox cases, raising the country’s total to 18 confirmed cases this year. Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa noted that all patients are males from Metro Manila and surrounding areas, with five having recovered and no fatalities reported. Importantly, none of the patients transmitted the virus during their isolation.

Globally, the WHO has indicated an increase in mpox cases, especially in Africa, where 14 countries are affected, predominantly in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which has recorded over 500 deaths. Mpox typically presents with flu-like symptoms and pus-filled lesions, spreading through close contact and contaminated objects. Vaccines have recently arrived in DR Congo as a preventive measure.