Sun Sep 08 13:02:15 UTC 2024: ## Peshawar Emerges as Mpox Hotspot in Pakistan, Fifth Case Confirmed
**Peshawar, Pakistan:** The city of Peshawar is becoming a focal point for the mpox outbreak in Pakistan, with a fifth case confirmed on Sunday. The latest patient, a 47-year-old man, recently returned from the Gulf region and tested positive for the virus after being isolated by Border Health Services staff.
This marks the fifth mpox case reported in Pakistan this year and the fourth since the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the disease a global health emergency. The Federal Director General of Health, Shabana Saleem, expressed concern over the trend, stating, “Peshawar appears to be turning into an epicentre for mpox cases. This trend is alarming, and we are doubling our efforts to prevent further spread.”
Saleem highlighted that all recent cases involve individuals who had traveled to the Gulf region, emphasizing the need for vigilance.
The mpox virus, previously known as monkeypox, has been a concern in parts of Africa for decades. However, a new, more transmissible strain, ‘clade 1b,’ has emerged as a global threat, leading to over 18,000 suspected cases and 615 deaths in Congo this year.
Responding to the escalating outbreak, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has launched an emergency tender to procure mpox vaccines for crisis-affected countries, collaborating with the Gavi vaccine alliance, Africa CDC, and WHO. They aim to secure up to 12 million doses by 2025, depending on manufacturing capacity.
Meanwhile, Nigeria is set to begin administering mpox vaccines on October 8 following regulatory approvals. The country has received an initial shipment of 10,000 doses from the U.S. Agency for International Development and has confirmed 40 cases with no reported deaths.
The Democratic Republic of Congo has reported over 18,000 suspected cases with 629 deaths this year, while Burundi has confirmed over 150 cases. Outside of Africa, Sweden and Thailand have also confirmed cases of the ‘clade 1b’ variant.
Experts emphasize that a deeper understanding of mpox transmission in Africa is crucial to develop effective vaccine strategies and control the spread of the disease.
First Piper 