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Mpox Outbreak: Newborns Die in Pakistan Hospitals
5 Apr
Summary
- Four newborns died from mpox in Khairpur hospitals last month.
- Deaths are not directly linked to mpox by medical experts.
- Infection may have spread through unsterilized hospital equipment.
An outbreak of mpox, the first documented in Pakistan, has been linked to the deaths of four newborns in Khairpur last month. Seven infants in total succumbed to health complications, with health officials confirming mpox in four of them. Initial findings suggest the infection may have been acquired from unsterilized hospital equipment used in intensive care units.
Medical experts, however, state that the deaths were not directly caused by mpox. The affected infants were premature, underweight, and suffering from malnutrition-related health issues. This situation has prompted the temporary closure of neonatal intensive care units at affected hospitals and the initiation of comprehensive contact tracing.
Cases with unusual skin lesions have also been reported in other districts, including Sukkur, Mirpurkhas, and Hyderabad. Authorities have established isolation centers and are enforcing strict infection control protocols and the use of Personal Protective Equipment. A Rapid Response Team has been formed to manage the public health emergency.
