Authorities in Karachi have sealed a private hospital in Malir after a newborn was confirmed to have mpox, a viral infection that typically brings fever and skin rashes. The Sindh Healthcare Commission (SHCC) said the closure followed a report from the District Health Officer (DHO) in Korangi, which raised possible breaches of medical standards. An inquiry pointed to contaminated scissors used during a circumcision as the suspected source, though that link remains a suspicion rather than a confirmed finding.
Test results and the inquiry
Swab samples taken from the 20-day-old infant were tested at Dow University, and the results confirmed the presence of the mpox virus. According to reports, the baby had been circumcised at Ibne Hassan Hospital, which is located in Malir 15 and falls under the Saudabad police station area. The SHCC said the facility was operating illegally, with unqualified staff and untrained people carrying out medical procedures, including circumcisions.
The commission also cited poor hygiene, weak infection prevention and control, and other malpractices that it said put patients and public health at risk. SHCC spokesperson Mustafa Jatoi said the sealing followed the DHO Korangi's report. Hospital staff resisted the SHCC team during the operation, but the DHO Korangi, the senior superintendent of police and local police helped bring the situation under control so the facility could be sealed.
The family's account and treatment
According to family sources, the infant comes from Landhi in Karachi and first developed a fever with severe rashes across his body. His family took him to clinics in Landhi and Korangi before he was referred to the Sindh Infectious Diseases Hospital and Research Centre, known as SIDH&RC. The baby is reportedly stable but restless.
A senior doctor said the symptoms appeared before the parents took the child to a private hospital, which then sent him to the infectious diseases centre. Reports also say a 40-day-old boy tested positive for mpox last week and is receiving treatment at SIDH&RC. The two cases have not been publicly linked.
What happens next
So far, the sealing of the hospital is the only official step reported. The SHCC has not announced the outcome of the inquiry, and no timeline for further action has been announced. Health officials and families will be watching whether the laboratory findings and the probe lead to further steps against the facility.
Aasan alfaaz mein
Karachi ke Malir ilaqay mein ek private hospital ko seal kar diya gaya hai, kyunke ek 20 din ke bachay mein mpox ka virus paya gaya. Shak hai ke circumcision mein istemal hone wali qaichi se infection lagi, lekin yeh abhi tasdeeq shuda nahi. Bachcha stable bataya gaya hai aur ilaaj SIDH&RC mein ho raha hai. Aam logon ke liye yeh yaad dehani hai ke bachon ka koi bhi operation sirf qualified doctor aur saaf maahol mein karwayein.
