Deadly ‘Congo Virus’ Claims Yet Another Life!

KARACHI-  The lethal Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) has claimed another life in the city of Karachi. According to statistics, 06 victims of this virus were residents of Karachi, 03 from Baluchistan and 01 from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, respectively.

JPMC Executive Director, Dr. Seemin Jamali, informed that a 25-year old man Hyder Ali, resident of Mehmoodabad, Karachi, was brought to JPMC two days ago with high grade fever, and was diagnosed with Congo during the investigation.

She added that this year, a total number of 13 Congo fever patients have been reported in their health facility, out of which 05 expired during treatment and 08 got cured and discharged from the hospital after being kept under observation.

According to a report prepared by Sindh Health Department, a total of 23 Congo patients have been reported in city hospitals, including Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC), Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH) and Liaquat National Hospital (LNH).

The Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever, commonly termed as Congo Virus; is a tick-borne viral disease, mainly contracted by people who deal with cattle and livestock on a regular basis. Experts say that it is highly contagious and half of the patients die, despite receiving symptomatic and anti-viral treatment.