ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): Pakistan has reported its second death linked to mpox, indicating local mpox transmission within Pakistan.
The 53-year-old man from Faisalabad, who was also suffering from HIV HIV cases rapidly surge across Pakistanand hepatitis B and C, died during the course of treatment at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), according to the health officials.
According to hospital officials, the patient had been admitted to PIMS with extensive skin and genital lesions consistent with mpox and had been receiving treatment when he passed away on February 7.
This marks the second mpox-related death recorded in the country so far.
The officials said the deceased had no recent travel history, suggesting local transmission of mpox within the country, also adding to concerns among public health experts that the virus is circulating domestically.
The deceased was a known case of HIV and was also co-infected with hepatitis B and hepatitis C. Concerned doctors said his immune system was severely compromised, with an extremely low CD4 count, placing him at high risk of severe disease and complications. He had reportedly started antiretroviral therapy only a few months earlier.
Hospital officials said the patient had a one-month history of widespread skin and genital lesions before being brought to the PIMS.
Despite treatment, his condition deteriorated due to advanced immunosuppression and multiple underlying health conditions.
Pakistan had reported the first mpox-related death in Islamabad in December 2023, underscoring the vulnerability of people with weakened immune systems to severe outcomes of the disease.
2025 mpox cases
According to officials, Pakistan recorded 53 confirmed mpox cases in 2025, most of them detected through surveillance at points of entry and hospitals.
