LAHORE: Two confirmed cases of monkeypox, along with one suspected infection, were reported at Lahore’s Mayo Hospital on Thursday.
Medical officials identified the confirmed patients as Safdar and Abu Sufyan, while a third patient—a woman who had visited the hospital for a routine check-up—displayed symptoms potentially linked to the infection. Her diagnostic tests are currently pending confirmation.
As a precaution, all three individuals have been moved to the hospital’s isolation ward.
Hospital sources revealed that over the past three weeks, four monkeypox cases have surfaced at Mayo Hospital, raising concerns about a potential increase in infections.
In August, the National Institute of Health (NIH) confirmed a total of 15 monkeypox cases in Pakistan since the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the disease a global health emergency in August 2024.
Monkeypox, caused by the Mpox virus, is thought to be transmitted from animals to humans, with African rodents and non-human primates considered likely reservoirs.
The illness usually begins with fever and is followed by a rash that appears one to three days later—typically starting on the face and then spreading across the body. The rash moves through several stages, including macules, papules, vesicles, pustules, and scabs.
Additional symptoms can include headache, muscle ache, swollen lymph nodes, and fatigue. The incubation period usually ranges from 7 to 14 days but may extend from 5 to 21 days. Most affected individuals recover within two to four weeks.
