ISLAMABAD, April 5 (Xinhua) -- Health authorities in Pakistan's southern Sindh province have confirmed monkeypox cases among newborns in the northwest Khairpur district, officials said Saturday.
The Sindh Health Department said it was alerted on March 14 after children showed unusual skin symptoms. Laboratory tests later confirmed infections.
An expert review found that some newborns who died were not directly killed by the virus, as they were premature and already suffering from serious health complications, according to the statement.
Authorities have temporarily closed neonatal intensive care units at one public and one private hospital while identifying a possible source of infection and the index case.
Contact tracing is ongoing, and hospitals have been directed to enforce strict infection control measures. Officials said the situation is under control and urged the public to seek medical care if symptoms appear. ■