Dow University Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Saeed Qureshi said on Wednesday that although the first case of monkeypox was reported 50 years ago, it has recently re-emerged as a major threat.
He was speaking at a symposium titled "Monkeypox: Evolution and Clinical Symptoms," organised by the Department of Microbiology at the University of Karachi in collaboration with the Association of Molecular and Microbial Sciences.
The event was held at the Chinese Teachers Memorial Auditorium at the University of Karachi.
Dr Qureshi urged students to share the insights gained from the symposium with the broader public to help them better understand and face these challenges.
Dr Mushtaq Hussain, Principal Professor of Biotechnology at Dow University, provided an overview of the evolution of the monkeypox virus. He said that the virus has a high mutation rate, and according to the viral genome database, the recent cases of monkeypox belong to the alpha or clade 1 strain, which is more lethal.
Dr Mushtaq also referred to the evolution of lumpy skin disease, another member of the poxvirus family, and suggested that similar evolution in monkeypox is unlikely.
Dr Muniba Ahsan, Consultant of Infectious Diseases at Dow University, explained that the current monkeypox outbreak is associated with clade 1 of the virus, which has a higher mortality rate.
She added that while cases have been reported in 13 countries, the situation in Pakistan is not yet alarming, and there is no need for public panic.
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