Cases in Quetta, Peshawar: Two more patients die of Congo virus

At least 140 suspected cases have been reported in Balochistan alone

QUETTA/ PESHAWAR: Two patients died of the Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever in the provincial capitals of Quetta and Peshawar on Saturday, indicating the seriousness of the threat posed by the tick-borne disease.

A dozen or more people have already become fatal victims of CCHF in Balochistan, health officials confirmed.

Health officials said the test results of the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) of nine other patients have yet to be confirmed by the Aga Khan University.

The latest victim was identified as Abdul Haq, a resident of Hazar Ganji area in Quetta.

“Haq was admitted to Fatima Jinnah Hospital. We have sent his tests for Congo confirmation,” Medical Officer in Fatima Jinnah Hospital Abbas Notkani said.

At least 140 suspected Congo fever or CCHF patients have been admitted to the isolation ward of Fatima Jinnah Hospital since the fatal virus spread across the province.

Congo fever victim in Peshawar

Another patient died of Congo fever in the Hayatabad Medical Complex in Peshawar.

According to details, 45-year-old Siddiqueur Rehman, a resident of the provincial capital, was brought to the facility with high fever and Congo virus symptoms on September 21. Rehman was admitted to the facility and his blood samples were sent to the laboratory.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 25^th, 2016.