Two additional mpox cases have been identified in Lahore, intensifying concerns among health experts about unnoticed local transmission of the virus within the city. Both patients, women, are currently receiving treatment in isolation at Lahore’s Mayo Hospital.
With these new cases, Lahore’s total confirmed mpox infections for the year have climbed to 54. Notably, neither patient has traveled internationally, confirming that the infections were acquired locally within the community.
Previously, mpox cases in Pakistan were mainly linked to importation, detected through airport screenings of travelers returning from the Middle East or Gulf countries. This shift suggests a change in the virus’s transmission dynamics.
A senior dermatologist at Mayo Hospital, speaking anonymously, highlighted that the virus’s presence in individuals without international travel history indicates active, hidden chains of domestic transmission circulating in urban areas.
In response, health authorities have deployed contact-tracing teams to determine the sources of exposure for these patients and to screen their close household contacts.
The emergence of these cases in Punjab coincides with a broader and more intense resurgence of mpox across Pakistan this year. Data from the National Institute of Health (NIH) and international health organizations show a sharp increase in infections and deaths, surpassing previous records.
In 2025, Pakistan has recorded a total of 58 mpox cases and two fatalities nationwide, with most infections linked to overseas travel. Sindh province experienced a particularly severe outbreak, prompting investigations after dozens of cases were reported.
During March and April, the virus infiltrated local healthcare settings in Sindh, including a confirmed cluster of hospital-acquired infections among newborns.
Global health agencies, including the World Health Organization (WHO), have identified the mpox clade Ib strain in Pakistan, a variant known for its potential to spread widely within communities.
In light of the rising cases in Lahore, provincial health departments have issued stricter infection control protocols for both public and private hospitals. Medical staff are urged to rigorously sterilize equipment and protective gear to prevent further spread.
