Congo virus kills five across Pakistan as cases surge after Eid

KARACHI/PESHAWAR: A 25-year-old fisherman from Karachi’s Ibrahim Hyderi neighbourhood died of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) on Thursday, marking the second fatality from the congo virus reported in Sindh this year.

The spread of Congo virus continues to raise concern across Pakistan, as two more fatalities were reported from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. These patients receiving treatment at Hayatabad Medical Complex in Peshawar succumbed to the virus, bringing the province’s three-day death toll from Congo virus to three.

Sindh reported its first Congo virus case of the year on Wednesday, with a 42-year-old man from Malir district succumbing to the infection.

The World Health Organization (WHO) states that CCHF, commonly known as Congo virus, is a severe viral disease with a fatality rate ranging between 10 and 40 percent. There is currently no vaccine available to prevent the disease.

The virus is commonly transmitted through ticks found on livestock such as cows, goats, sheep, and camels. Human infection typically occurs through tick bites or direct contact with the blood or tissues of infected animals.

The National Institute of Health (NIH) had earlier issued an advisory in April, warning of potential Congo virus risks ahead of Eidul Azha due to increased animal movement and slaughter.

Symptoms of the disease appear suddenly and include high fever, muscle pain, dizziness, neck stiffness, backache, headache, eye irritation, and sensitivity to light.

DELAYED DIAGNOSIS

According to a report by District Health Officer Malir, the congo virus patient died in Karachi today was identified as Muhammad Zubair. He was a fisherman by profession but he had been butchering sacrificial animals during the Eid days as an occasional butcher.

Zubair developed high fever on June 13. He went to a local hospital in his area. However, the hospital discharged him the same day. When he fell severely sick, he was taken to Creek General Hospital, which also refused admission citing the unviability of beds.

Zubair, who had been fighting congo virus for more than a week, was then brought to Jinnah Hospital on June 16 with symptoms including high fever, muscle pain, abdominal discomfort, cough, diarrhoea, bleeding and loss of consciousness.

Medical staff suspected Congo virus and referred him to the Sindh Infectious Diseases Hospital due to limited facilities.

Zubair succumbed to the illness during treatment on Thursday morning, the day when lab reports confirmed he was infected from Congo virus.

Following the death, the Sindh Health Department’s spokesperson said, a rapid response team was deployed to the affected area. Officials conducted an active search to identify and monitor those who had been in contact with the deceased. So far, no additional infections have been reported, he added.

Residents of the area and the family of the deceased have been advised on preventive measures, he said, adding that awareness campaigns are underway to educate the public about Congo virus symptoms and precautions.

LACK OF PRECAUTION

Health officials have expressed growing alarm as the number of Congo virus cases rises, particularly in the wake of Eidul Azha.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Health Adviser Ehtesham Ali attributed the deaths of three patients in KP to a lack of precaution during the Eid festivities, when increased human and animal contact heightens the risk of infection.

He confirmed that contact tracing and disinfection operations are ongoing at the homes of the deceased to prevent further spread of the disease.

Medical experts have urged citizens, particularly those working with livestock or in rural settings, to exercise caution and remain vigilant against the virus, which is primarily transmitted through tick bites and contact with infected animals.