A new case of the deadly Congo virus has emerged in Karachi, raising alarms among health authorities.
With its high fatality rate, the virus poses a serious public health threat, especially during Eid-ul-Adha when livestock movement increases. Below is a detailed account of the latest case and its broader implications.
The first Congo virus case of the year has been confirmed in Karachi, with the patient currently receiving treatment at Jinnah Hospital.
The patient, a 32-year-old man, was admitted to Ward 5 at Jinnah Hospital with a high fever and diarrhea. The situation escalated when lab tests confirmed the Congo virus, raising concerns within the hospital.
Hospital officials stated that the patient’s condition required an immediate transfer to the intensive care unit (ICU). They emphasized that the Congo virus is a life-threatening infection with a survival rate of just 10%.
Typically reported around Eid-ul-Adha due to increased livestock movement, the Congo virus is transmitted from animals to humans and can also spread between people.
Hospital sources confirmed
that the patient is being transferred to the National Institute of Infectious Diseases (NIIED) for specialized care.
In a similar case in November 2023, a 42-year-old man from Karachi’s East District was diagnosed with the Congo virus. A spokesperson from the Sindh Health Department confirmed that the man was admitted to a private hospital after showing symptoms.
Medical experts identify Congo virus symptoms as a drop in white blood cells, high fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, fatigue, weakness, drowsiness, and mouth ulcers.