Another monkeypox patient detected in Karachi

KARACHI: A third case of monkeypox has been reported in Karachi within three days, health officials said, as the city’s total number of confirmed cases rose to 11.

According to reports, a 26-year-old resident of Defence Housing Authority has been diagnosed with the infection.

The patient has been admitted to the Sindh Infectious Diseases Hospital in NIPA for treatment and isolation.

Health authorities said surveillance and monitoring efforts have been intensified following the recent increase in cases in the city.

According to official data, measles has taken a serious toll across the country, with 96 child deaths reported from January to May this year.

Out of these, Sindh recorded the highest number of fatalities at 53, followed by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with 24 deaths, Punjab with 15, and Balochistan with 4.

Authorities also reported around 28,500 suspected measles cases during the first five months of the year, out of which 7,500 children were confirmed positive.

Despite the rising numbers, immunisation coverage in Sindh remains insufficient, raising concerns over the effectiveness of ongoing public health interventions.

Pediatric specialist Dr Khalid Shafi has said that measles, despite being a preventable and treatable disease, continues to spread due to gaps in awareness and vaccination coverage.

Speaking on the rising number of cases, Dr Shafi said that even a single reported measles case reflects a collective lapse in responsibility, stressing that parents play a key role in ensuring timely immunisation of their children.

He noted that awareness among parents remains insufficient, adding that healthcare authorities have yet to effectively communicate the importance of routine vaccination.

Dr Shafi further said that reporting of cases in Sindh is comparatively better than other provinces, and emphasized that measles is present across all regions of the country.

He urged that cases should not be hidden but reported transparently, calling it essential for controlling the spread of the disease.