A 29-year-old man has tested positive for monkeypox (mpox), marking the city's first confirmed case.
Health officials report that the patient is currently hospitalized at Jinnah Hospital, where he is receiving treatment. His samples were sent to Dow University Laboratory, which confirmed the infection.
Authorities are urging the public to remain cautious and stay alert as the situation is closely monitored.
In related news, the World Health Organization (WHO) has recently approved the emergency use of the LC16 mpox vaccine, developed by Japan’s KM Biologics. This approval makes LC16 the second vaccine to receive WHO authorization, following Bavarian Nordic’s vaccine earlier this year.
The approval comes as efforts to address ongoing mpox outbreaks, particularly in Africa, intensify. In 2024 alone, more than 50,000 cases and 1,100 deaths have been reported in the region.
LC16 underwent successful trials in Japan, where it demonstrated both safety and effectiveness, especially in individuals with well-controlled HIV. The vaccine's approval by WHO also comes in response to the spread of the Clade IB variant, initially detected in the Republic of Congo and now affecting neighboring regions.
Alongside the vaccine approval, the WHO has pledged to donate 3.05 million doses of the vaccine, along with specialized needles, to support vaccination efforts in Congo.
KM Biologics, a subsidiary of Meiji Holdings, specializes in vaccine production for both humans and animals. The LC16 vaccine, which has been used in Japan during mpox outbreaks, is now set to play a pivotal role in global health efforts.