Health officials in Pakistan's Sindh province have declared a public health alert after confirming 14 mpox cases this year, with infections linked to the deaths of five newborns, according to local media reports. The outbreak has raised concerns among medical professionals about the vulnerability of infants to the virus, which has historically posed greater risks to young children and immunocompromised individuals.

The provincial health department has reportedly intensified surveillance and containment measures in response to the cluster of cases. Officials have not disclosed specific locations within Sindh where the infections occurred, but the province, which includes Pakistan's largest city Karachi, has previously faced challenges with infectious disease outbreaks due to population density and healthcare infrastructure limitations.

This development comes amid global efforts to control mpox transmission following the 2022 international outbreak. While mpox typically causes mild symptoms in healthy adults, the link to newborn fatalities underscores the need for heightened precautions in healthcare settings and among caregivers. The Sindh government has urged healthcare providers to maintain strict infection control protocols and report suspected cases immediately.