Congo Fever Claims 9 Lives, 7 Still Under Treatment

KARACHI- The deadly Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) has uptil now, claimed 09 lives in Karachi hospitals this year, out of which 05 were said to be residents of Karachi, 03 from Baluchistan and 01 from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, respectively.

According to the report prepared by Sindh Health Department, a total number of 18 Congo patients had been reported in city hospitals, including Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC), Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH) and Liaquat National Hospital (LNH). Out of these patients, 09 passed away, 02 got cured and discharged, whereas 07 others are still admitted in different hospitals of the city, undergoing treatment.

Congo fever is a tick-borne viral disease, that is mainly contracted by the people who deal with cattle and livestock. It is said to be highly contagious and half of the patients die, despite of receiving symptomatic and anti-viral treatment.

Currently, 05 Congo fever patients including Abdul Saboor, aged 16, Dost Muhammad, 65, Amina, 22,  Zubair, 27 and Parvez, 20 are being treated at JPMC.
35 years old Abdullah and 32 years Din Muhammad from Baluchistan, are under treatment in AKUH.

JPMC Executive Director, Dr. Seemin Jamali informed that a total number of 12 Congo fever patients had been reported in their health facility this year, out of which 04 expired, 01 was cured and 05 others are still under treatment at JPMC.
She also explained that the condition of all the admitted Congo fever patients is stable.