Deadly diseases: Two die of HIV, Congo fever at PIMS

Both tested positive for respective diseases; two suspected Congo cases died earlier.

ISLAMABAD:

A 29-year-old man HIV-positive man died at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) on Thursday.

Meanwhile, three patients believed to have Crimean–Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) — one later confirmed — died at Pims in April and May this year, Pims spokesperson Dr Ayesha Eshani said.

While talking to The Express Tribune a senior physician at Pims who wished not to be named said, MA*, 29, was brought to Pims two days back from Azad Jummu and Kashmir and tested positive for HIV.

He was admitted to the isolation ward in critical condition and died on Thursday, said the physician.

Sharing details about the most recent Congo fever patient, he said Abdullah Mashood, an Afghan national, tested positive for CCHF and died late on Wednesday.

According to his travel history, he came to Peshawar from Afghanistan and then travel to Islamabad, where he fell ill and was admitted to Pims.

The physician added that the two other patients were suspected of having the disease.

The Pims administration has started monitoring their staff to ensure that none of them has been affected by the viral disease.

MERS alert

Separately, the National Institute of Health (NIH) has issued an alert and guidelines for the prevention, control and management of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome-Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) directing all the provinces to keep a vigilant eye on the disease and to immediately take necessary measures for treatment and controlling its spread if any hospital receives a suspected case.

*Name changed to protect identity

Published in The Express Tribune, May 23^rd, 2014.