LAHORE: Two patients diagnosed with mpox have been placed in isolation at Nishtar Hospital, Multan, after laboratory tests confirmed the infection, it’s learnt here.
Medical tests reports [available with Dawn] revealed that a 22-year-old transperson from Mian Channu tehsil (Khanewal district) was tested positive for mpox and HIV on Jan 13, 2026. He was suffering from fever and rashes on his body.
The second patient, a 20-year-old police constable belonging to Muzaffargarh district, was also tested positive for HIV and mpox on Feb 2.
According to sources, the constable was suffering from rashes and he tried to flee from the scene as his blood samples were taken for tests. The guards of Nishtar Hospital stopped him and the results of the tests confirmed that he is tested positive for mpox and HIV.
Both infected with HIV too; screening of their contacts under way
Later, he was shifted to isolation ward No: 27 in Nishtar Hospital.
The health department officials confirmed that the patients were shifted to a designated isolation area at Nishtar Hospital after testing positive through PCR-based laboratory analysis conducted at a public health reference laboratory in Punjab.
Officials said both patients are being monitored by infectious disease specialists, while standard infection prevention and control measures have been implemented to prevent further spread of the virus within the healthcare facility.
Health authorities have also initiated contact tracing to identify individuals who may have been exposed to the patients. Surveillance has been enhanced in Multan and surrounding districts, and hospitals have been advised to remain alert for patients with symptoms consistent with mpox.Nishtar Hospital Additional Medical Superintendent Dr Riwad Noor told Dawn that both patients did not have any travel history.
He said the WHO guidelines suggested that any patient, who suffers from HIV, would lose immunity and it could develop mpox.
He said Khanewal and Muzaffargarh district health authorities should take measures to check and stop spread of the infectious disease.He said the recovery of the patients is possible.
Medical Superintendent Rao Amjad also confirmed that an isolation ward was established at the hospital to deal with patients with infectious diseases.Muzaffargarh District Health Authority Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr Fayyaz Khan Gopang told this reporter that they have started screening of the family members of the patient and samples for tests were taken.
He said he would also contact the district police officer to check about the posting of the constable and would conduct screening of the people in contact with him.
District Khanewal CEO Health Dr Asif Mahmood said the person of Tehsil Mian Channu was tested positive for mpox and HIV on Jan 13 and the rapid response team of the district screened all of his immediate contacts and did not find any one else infected with the disease.
He said the patient is a transperson and he would often organise and attend social gatherings and they were still chasing the people who might have been infected but did not find any other with symptoms.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), mpox is a viral disease that usually begins with fever, body aches, swollen lymph nodes and fatigue, followed by a rash that can develop into fluid-filled lesions. Most cases are mild, but early medical care helps prevent complications.
WHO advises that the spread of mpox can be reduced through avoiding close physical contact with anyone who has a rash or symptoms suggestive of mpox, practising regular hand hygiene using soap and water or alcohol-based sanitisers, not sharing bedding, towels, clothing or personal items with infected individuals, ensuring suspected or confirmed patients isolate until their lesions have healed and seeking prompt medical care if fever, body aches or unexplained rashes develop.
Published in Dawn, February 4th, 2026
