Sindh has confirmed its first Congo virus-related death of the year, after a 42-year-old man from Karachi’s Malir district passed away at Indus Hospital on June 17. The patient was admitted a day earlier after testing positive for the virus.
Health officials stated that the man had no recent travel history, raising concerns about local transmission of the virus within Karachi. Congo virus, also known as Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF), is primarily spread through tick bites or direct contact with blood or tissues of infected animals, especially during and after slaughter.
Also Read: NIH Issues Advisory to Prevent Congo Virus Spread Ahead of Eid-ul-Azha
The World Health Organization (WHO) cites a high case fatality rate for the virus, ranging between 10 to 40 per cent, and notes that no vaccine is currently available for prevention. The disease often escalates quickly, leading to severe complications and death if not managed promptly.
Earlier this year, in anticipation of Eidul Azha — a time when large numbers of sacrificial animals are transported — the National Institute of Health (NIH) had issued an advisory urging the public and health authorities to implement preventive measures to curb potential outbreaks.
