ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has confirmed its first case of monkeypox for the year 2024, as announced by the Ministry of Health on Thursday.

The case involves a 34-year-old man from Mardan, whose diagnosis was confirmed by Khyber Medical University in Peshawar.

The patient had returned to Pakistan from Saudi Arabia on August 3 and developed symptoms soon after arriving in Peshawar, prompting him to seek medical testing.

His positive diagnosis was confirmed on August 13, making it the first reported monkeypox case in Pakistan for 2024.

Health officials have initiated contact tracing to identify and monitor individuals who were in close contact with the patient, including passengers who were on his flight from Saudi Arabia.

Globally, monkeypox remains a serious health concern, with 99,518 cases reported across 122 countries and 208 deaths recorded by the World Health Organization (WHO).

The virus, which spreads through close contact, causes symptoms such as fever, rash, and body aches, typically lasting 2 to 4 weeks. Despite its spread, the WHO reports that 99% of those infected survive.

In Pakistan, 11 cases have been reported since April 2023, with one resulting in death. The National Institute of Health has issued guidelines for managing and preventing the spread of monkeypox, emphasizing the importance of continued vigilance and public health monitoring.