The Sindh Health Department reported two additional cases of monkeypox, also known as mpox, on Friday, bringing the total number of confirmed infections in the province to 98. The latest cases come as health authorities intensify surveillance, contact tracing and patient care following seven new infections over the past week.
The department said efforts were underway to identify and monitor people who had been in contact with infected patients to prevent further spread of the virus.
Public and private healthcare facilities have also been directed to strictly follow infection prevention and control measures.
Citizens have been advised to maintain proper hand hygiene and avoid direct contact with rashes, blisters or sores on people suspected of having or confirmed with mpox. Health officials have also warned against sharing personal belongings, including towels, clothes and bedding, used by infected individuals.
People who develop unusual skin rashes or blisters have been urged to seek medical attention promptly and inform their doctors if they have been in contact with someone suspected of having the virus.
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The health department described mpox as a preventable and treatable public health concern and urged people to follow precautionary measures. It also advised citizens to rely on official sources for accurate information and avoid circulating unverified reports.
The outbreak has intensified in recent months, with health authorities reporting a steady increase in infections across the province. Earlier this month, as per the report that Sindh had recorded 95 confirmed cases and 11 deaths, raising concerns about the need for stronger surveillance, early diagnosis and contact tracing.
Cases have also been detected among Karachi residents with no history of international travel, indicating that infections are not limited to people arriving from abroad. In June, a 26-year-old security guard in Karachi tested positive for the virus, taking the provincial tally to 37 at the time.
Previous reports also confirmed infections in Khairpur and Karachi, prompting authorities to establish isolation facilities and strengthen infection control arrangements at hospitals.
Health experts have warned that delayed diagnosis and social stigma may prevent people from seeking timely medical care, increasing the risk of transmission.
Mpox can spread through close physical contact with an infected person, contact with skin lesions and contaminated personal belongings. Common symptoms include fever, body aches, swollen lymph nodes and unusual skin rashes or blisters.
Health authorities have stressed the importance of early testing, isolating confirmed patients, monitoring close contacts and maintaining strict infection prevention measures in healthcare facilities to contain the outbreak.