Congo virus patient dies
National Institute of Health (NIH) has confirmed the first fatality from the Congo virus in Rawalpindi following which the district administration has gone on an alert. The NIH and the Rawalpindi Livestock Department had already issued an advisory regarding the virus before Eidul Azha and advised the people to take special precautions while visiting the cattle markets. As per details, the 29-year-old victim, Gishan Ahmed, was brought to the Holy Family Hospital (HFH) on August 6 with complaints of fever and headache. Later on August 10, the victim passed away at the healthcare facility. On suspicion of death from minor symptoms, his blood samples were sent to the NIH. The report coming back on Wednesday confirmed that the deceased was infected with the virus that causes Congo-Crimean Haemorrhagic Fever. Following this, the health department has become active and it has allocated beds for the Congo virus patients at the HFH.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 13th, 2020.