Mpox Outbreak in Pakistan: Rising Cases and Health Alerts

Health authorities in Pakistan are monitoring an expanding outbreak of mpox, with a significant concentration of cases reported in the Sindh province. As of April 12, 2026, the country has reported 26 confirmed cases, triggering high alerts across hospitals and an intensification of surveillance, testing, and isolation protocols to prevent a wider epidemic.

The outbreak is most prominent in Sindh, where authorities have acknowledged at least 16 confirmed infections. While much of the activity has been centered in Khairpur, the virus has spread to other urban centers, including Karachi.

Spread and Transmission in Sindh

In Karachi, health officials have confirmed a second laboratory-confirmed case. The most recent patient is a 20-year-old resident of the Buffer Zone in District Central. His infection was verified through PCR testing conducted at the Dow University of Health Sciences.

The patient has been isolated at the Sindh Institute of Infectious Diseases and is reported to be in stable condition. This development indicates that the virus is moving beyond its initial clusters in Khairpur, raising concerns regarding community and healthcare-based transmission.

In Khairpur, the majority of the confirmed infections have occurred among children, and at least two women have also been affected. Experts suggest the expanding nature of the outbreak may be driven by gaps in infection control and delays in the detection of cases.

Administrative and Clinical Response

The escalating situation in Khairpur led the Sindh government to take immediate administrative action. The health department issued an official notification removing the Khairpur district health officer and appointing a new officer to manage the crisis.

To address the failures in infection prevention, a joint investigation has been launched. This effort involves three primary entities:

• The National Institute of Health
• Dow University of Health Sciences
• The Sindh health department

The goal of this investigation is to trace contacts, assess the patterns of transmission, and identify specific failures in the existing infection control systems. Simultaneously, leading healthcare institutions, including the Aga Khan University Hospital, have urged increased vigilance and preparedness to manage the outbreak.

Wider Public Health Context

The rise in cases has prompted broader alarms across Pakistan. Beyond the province of Sindh, reports indicate the virus has surfaced in other regions, including a case in Lahore.

The World Health Organization has issued an alert regarding the possibility of an epidemic, while national health authorities continue to prioritize the containment of the virus through intensified isolation and testing strategies.

The situation is further complicated by the need to differentiate mpox from other eruptive diseases. In Khairpur, separate reports have noted a chickenpox outbreak that resulted in the deaths of seven children, highlighting the critical importance of accurate laboratory diagnosis through PCR testing to ensure appropriate patient management.