A 40-day-old baby boy from Landhi has tested positive for mpox, becoming Karachi’s first infant case of the disease this year. The mpox infant case in Karachi takes Sindh’s total for 2026 to 94.
The infant is receiving treatment at the Sindh Infectious Diseases Hospital and Research Centre (SIDH&RC). A senior doctor at the hospital said the baby was first examined at a clinic in Landhi four to five days ago. He later developed a fever and rashes across his body.
His parents took him to a hospital in Korangi, where doctors referred him to SIDH&RC for further treatment. The baby is stable but restless, according to hospital officials.
Mpox infant case in Karachi: Sindh’s tally keeps climbing
SIDH&RC has received 23 mpox patients this year, including the infant. Two patients with mpox have also died at the hospital in recent weeks. One suffered from a severe lung condition and the other had chronic kidney disease, but hospital records attributed both deaths to their underlying medical conditions rather than to mpox itself.
The new case continues a steady rise in mpox detections across the province this year. Health authorities in Lahore have also been tracking new mpox cases, suggesting the virus is circulating in more than one major city. Most cases have involved adults, which makes an infection in a 40-day-old infant unusual and worth watching closely.
What mpox is and how it spreads
Mpox is a viral illness that spreads mainly through close physical contact with an infected person, including skin-to-skin contact, as well as through contaminated bedding, clothing or towels. It can also pass from mother to child during pregnancy or birth, and young children can pick it up through close contact with caregivers.
The typical signs are fever, headache, muscle aches and a rash that often starts on the face before spreading. The rash moves through stages, from flat spots to raised bumps to fluid-filled blisters that eventually crust over. Most people recover within two to four weeks, but infants, young children and people with weakened immunity face a higher risk of severe illness.
There is no specific treatment for mpox. Care focuses on relieving symptoms, keeping the rash clean to prevent secondary infection and watching for complications. Vaccines developed for smallpox offer protection and are used in some countries for high-risk groups, though availability in Pakistan remains limited.
What parents should do
Health experts advise parents to keep newborns away from anyone with an unexplained rash or fever, to wash hands frequently and to seek medical help early if a baby develops fever with skin lesions. Early detection matters: isolation of suspected cases and tracing of close contacts are the main tools for breaking chains of transmission.
For Karachi, the infant case is a reminder that mpox is not only an adult traveller’s disease. Hospitals in the city are now on alert for similar presentations in very young children, and SIDH&RC’s handling of this case will set the template for any that follow.
Frequently asked questions
How did the 40-day-old baby get mpox?
The exact source of infection has not been confirmed. Mpox spreads through close physical contact with an infected person or contaminated materials, and infants can be infected through close contact with caregivers.
How many mpox cases has Sindh recorded in 2026?
Sindh’s total stands at 94 cases this year, including the infant. SIDH&RC in Karachi has received 23 mpox patients in 2026.
What are the symptoms of mpox?
Common symptoms include fever, headache, muscle aches and a rash that usually starts on the face and spreads. The rash progresses from spots to blisters that crust over. Most people recover in two to four weeks.
Is mpox dangerous for babies?
Infants and young children face a higher risk of severe illness than healthy adults. The Karachi infant is reported to be stable but restless under hospital care.
