Three Pakistanis males returning from Saudia Arabia test positive for Mpox clade 2b

Medical News: In a recent development that has raised concerns among health officials in Pakistan, three men returning from Saudi Arabia tested positive for Mpox, a disease caused by the monkeypox virus. These cases were identified after routine health screenings at Karachi's Jinnah International Airport. The travelers, who exhibited symptoms like skin rashes and lesions, were promptly transferred to the Sindh Government Hospital for further evaluation and treatment.


Three Pakistanis males returning from Saudia Arabia test positive for Mpox clade 2b

Mpox is a viral illness that has been spreading globally, with several outbreaks reported in different countries. The virus primarily spreads through close contact, and while it is less contagious than other diseases like COVID-19, it still poses significant risks, especially for those with weakened immune systems.
 
Details of the Recent Mpox Cases
The three passengers were traveling from Saudi Arabia to Karachi when airport medical teams flagged them during routine health screenings. According to sources at the Karachi airport, the men exhibited symptoms typically associated with Mpox, including skin rashes and lesions. This Medical News report details how the affected individuals were quickly isolated and sent to the Sindh Government Hospital, located in the NIPA area, for medical supervision.
 
Airport authorities responded to the situation by thoroughly disinfecting the immigration area and walkways to prevent any further transmission. "The entire area was sprayed as a precautionary measure," a source mentioned, highlighting the swift action taken by officials to contain the situation.
 
The first of these cases involved a 26-year-old man from Abbottabad, who arrived in Karachi from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on September 20. During his health screening at Jinnah International Airport, he displayed symptoms that raised suspicions among health officials. A doctor at the Sindh Infectious Disease Hospital confirmed, “He has presented with rashes and some lesions on his skin. He is stable and currently being monitored under medical supervision.”
 
This incident is part of a larger trend, as earlier this month on September 15, a similar case was reported at the same airport. A traveler arriving on a Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight from Jeddah exhibited symptoms indicative of Mpox and was promptly taken to an isolation ward for further examination and treatment.
 
Mpox in Pakistan: Rising Concerns
The Mpox cases in Karachi are not isolated. Just days before, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa confirmed its fifth case of Mpox. A 33-year-old man from Peshawar, who had recently returned from Saudi Arabia, was diagnosed with the virus at Khyber Teaching Hospital. The patient is currently in isolation at his home in Lower Dir, under the supervision of local health officials.
 
With at least nine confirmed cases across the country, Pakistan is now on high alert. The Pakistani National Institutes of Healt h (NIH) has issued an urgent warning, urging public health authorities to take immediate action to curb the spread of the virus. The rise in cases coincides with a global surge in Mpox infections, with multiple countries grappling with outbreaks.
 
Health experts are particularly concerned about the rising number of cases in travelers coming from countries like Saudi Arabia, where many Pakistanis work or visit for religious pilgrimages. The return of infected individuals poses a serious challenge to the already strained healthcare system, which must now focus on containment efforts to prevent a larger outbreak.
 
Are Countries like the UAE and Saudi Arabia Hubs of Silent Mpox Spread
It is interesting to note that there are lots of cases emerging of Pakistani and Filipinos males returning from countries like the UAE and Saudia Arabia testing positive for Mpox while there are no news coverages of any Mpox infections in these Muslim countries.
 
Most of the Mpox infections are basically involved the clade 2b strains and it is believed that many of young males from these countries often engage in commercial gay sex activities during their stays or work in these Middle East countries, catering  to Arabic men seeking alternatives to donkey, goats or camels despite such activities being deemed as illegal according to Islamic sharia laws. In fact, it now a growing trend for many young Pakistani men to travel to the Middle East to work in the underground gay sex trade to make fast money.
 
Mpox: What You Need to Know
Mpox is caused by a virus related to smallpox, though it is generally less severe. Symptoms typically include fever, headache, muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes, and a characteristic rash that turns into fluid-filled sores. In most cases, the illness lasts between two to four weeks, but severe cases can occur, especially in people with weakened immune systems or other underlying health conditions.

The virus spreads primarily through direct contact with an infected person’s lesions, body fluids, or respiratory droplets. It can also be transmitted through contaminated materials like bedding or clothing.
 
While Mpox outbreaks in the past have been limited to certain regions in Africa, the current global surge has brought new challenges. International travel and close physical contact have contributed to the virus spreading to countries where it was previously uncommon. In response, public health authorities are emphasizing the importance of early detection, isolation, and treatment to contain the virus.
 
What the Study Findings Indicate
The cases in Pakistan highlight the importance of swift action and early detection in controlling the spread of the Mpox virus. Health screenings at airports play a crucial role in identifying potential cases before they enter the broader population. However, the recent spike in cases indicates that additional measures are needed, such as increased public awareness, better access to medical care, and expanded vaccination programs for high-risk individuals.
 
Pakistan's healthcare system, which has already been stretched thin by the COVID-19 pandemic, must now grapple with this new public health challenge. The rise in Mpox cases underscores the need for a coordinated response involving both national and local health authorities.
 
Conclusion
The recent Mpox cases in Karachi are a stark reminder of the ongoing public health threats posed by infectious diseases. While the country has successfully managed outbreaks in the past, the current situation calls for vigilance, quick action, and sustained public health measures to prevent further spread. As health officials work to monitor and treat the affected individuals, the public is urged to remain cautious and informed about the risks associated with Mpox.
 
For the latest Mpox News, keep on logging to Thailand Medical News.
 
Read Also:
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/malaysia-reports-first-case-of-mpox-for-2024-involving-the-clade-2b-variant
 
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/genomic-recombination-causing-rapid-evolution-of-mpox-clade-1b-diverging-into-four-lineages-and-14-subgroups