Authorities in Khyber district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, have imposed a 12-day smart lockdown in the Pump House area of Ghandi, Jamrud tehsil, following a rise in mpox (monkeypox) cases, the Associated Press of Pakistan reported on Friday.
According to health officials, KP has recorded 17 mpox cases over the past three years, with most infections linked to travelers returning from the UAE and Saudi Arabia, where the virus is more prevalent. The World Health Organization classified mpox as a global health emergency in August last year.
The lockdown, ordered by Deputy Commissioner (retd) Captain Bilal Shahid Rao, involves sealing off all entry and exit routes to the affected locality to prevent the virus from spreading further within the community.
Only essential services—including grocery stores, pharmacies, general shops, tandoors, and emergency services—are permitted to remain operational during the lockdown.
Officials have warned that violators of the restrictions will face legal action. Residents have been urged to cooperate with health authorities, follow precautionary guidelines, and limit movement to essentials.
The lockdown follows the recent detection of a 31-year-old man from Khyber district who tested positive for mpox during screening at Bacha Khan International Airport before departing for Dubai. After confirmation of his diagnosis, the KP health department instructed local officials to begin contact tracing and intensified surveillance in the area.
Mpox is caused by the monkeypox virus and typically presents with flu-like symptoms and fluid-filled skin lesions. While generally mild, it can pose serious risks for children, pregnant women, and immunocompromised individuals, particularly those with HIV.
