Mpox cases reported in newborns for the first time in Pakistan

Infectious disease specialists have said that Mpox cases are now being seen in newborns in Pakistan for the first time, describing the development as a serious public health concern and linking it to weak infection prevention measures in hospitals. Speaking at a media roundtable at Aga Khan University Hospital, paediatric infectious disease specialist Dr Fatima Mir said cases had been reported from Khairpur in Sindh, where infants showed symptoms including fever, weakness and fluid-filled rashes. She added that some deaths had also been reported. Dr Mir said Mpox had previously been observed mainly in adults, and its emergence in children, especially newborns, was an alarming shift. "One of the major reasons for infection in newborns could be cross-infection in hospitals where proper hygiene and isolation protocols are not strictly followed," she said.