ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has been identified among countries where community transmission of Clade Ib strain of Mpox is occurring, including within sexual networks of men who have sex with men (MSM), according to latest report by World Health Organisation (WHO).
The WHO report states Argentina, Denmark, Germany, Pakistan, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, and United Kingdom have all reported community transmission of Clade Ib MPXV, “including among men who have sex with men”, indicating sustained human-to-human spread beyond imported cases. Public health experts say this classification is significant, as community transmission means cases are no longer linked to travel or known infected individuals, suggesting virus is circulating locally within populations.
The WHO notes globally, Mpox transmission continues primarily within sexual networks, particularly among MSM, but is increasingly followed by household transmission, exposing women, children, and other close contacts. In Pakistan, situation is further complicated by a healthcare-associated outbreak in Sindh, where 29 laboratory-confirmed cases of Mpox were reported over one-month period, including eight deaths, with a case fatality rate of 28 percent. A large proportion of these cases were reported among infants, and all deaths occurred in children under six months of age, highlighting serious gaps in infection prevention and control in healthcare settings.
Investigations traced outbreak to healthcare facilities in Khairpur, Karachi and Sukkur among infants, adults and caregivers.
The WHO has called for rapid containment measures, including improved case detection, contact tracing, and targeted vaccination strategies, to prevent further spread of virus in both community and healthcare settings.
