• Clade 1b variant has triggered global concern.
• New variant linked to growing outbreak in Africa.
• Mpox outbreak declared public health emergency.
  

One case of the mpox virus has been detected in Pakistan of the clade 2 variety, the country's ministry of health said on Monday, adding that no cases of the clade 1b strain of the disease have been diagnosed.

Clade 1b has triggered global concern because it seems to spread more easily though routine close contact. A case of the variant was confirmed last week in Sweden and linked to a growing outbreak in Africa, the first sign of its spread outside the continent.

"As of now, there have been no reported cases of clade I in Pakistan," said Sajid Hussain Shah, spokesperson for the ministry of national health services.

Following the detection of a mpox case in the country last week, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif ordered effective screening at all airports, seaports, and borders, and asked border health services to maintain comprehensive surveillance.

He also directed the National Command and Operations Centre (NCOC) to remain alert, conduct daily evaluations and ensure the availability of necessary equipment and kits for mpox assessment.

The World Health Organisation declared the recent outbreak of the disease a public health emergency of international concern after the new variant was identified.

The WHO last week sounded its highest level of alert over the outbreak in Africa after cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo spread to nearby countries. There have been 27,000 cases and more than 1,100 deaths, mainly among children, in DR Congo since the current outbreak began in January 2023.

Global health officials on last week confirmed an infection with the new strain of mpox in Sweden and linked it to a growing outbreak in Africa, the first sign of its spread outside the continent. The WHO did not urge any travel restrictions to curb the spread of mpox.

The disease presents with flu-like symptoms and pus-filled lesions. It is usually mild but can kill, and children, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of complications.