Pakistani health officials confirm first case of monkeypox

Officials said airport authorities and hospitals in Pakistan have been alerted to watch for more monkeypox cases.

Officials said airport authorities and hospitals have been alerted to watch for more monkeypox cases in Pakistan. File. | Photo Credit: Reuters

A Pakistani man has tested positive for monkeypox, becoming the country’s first confirmed case of the disease, authorities said April 25. Health officials provided no additional details about the man.

Officials said airport authorities and hospitals have been alerted to watch for more monkeypox cases.

According to the state-run news agency Associated Press of Pakistan, relatives of the person who tested positive for the disease were being screened and advised to self-quarantine to ensure the virus does not spread.

Monkeypox is a rare but potentially serious viral illness that typically begins with flu-like illness and swelling of the lymph nodes and progresses to a rash on the body. Most people recover within weeks without requiring hospitalization.