Second case of Congo virus detected in Karachi

Patient shifted to Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre for treatment; condition said to be 'better'

KARACHI:

A 55-year-old resident of Orangi Town, Karachi was reported on Saturday to be the second patient to have contracted the Congo virus in the metropolis.

Another patient from the city's district east was transferred this month to his home after recovering in the hospital.

The Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever (CCHF), or simply Congo virus, is a viral disease, which is transmitted to humans through tick bites or contact with infected animal blood or tissues. The virus is primarily found in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and some parts of Europe.

Pakistan, off and on, has been witnessing the outbreak of the fever over the past many years. This year’s first fatality from the deadly virus emerged on May 7.

The resident of Orangi Town was shifted to Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) two days earlier for his treatment where test reports confirmed that he had contracted the virus. The provincial health department has procured samples from the patient’s family to check for further infections in his household.

The condition of the infected patient is reportedly better.

Read Congo virus outbreak

The JPMC administration has placed the hospital staff on high alert and has ensured personal protective equipment (PPE) is provided to the healthcare workers.

The Sindh government, prompted by the death of Dr Shukarullah from the virus in Quetta, Balochistan, established an eight-bed Congo virus unit at the Infections Disease Hospital and reactivated the Infection Control Unit at the Civil Hospital earlier this month.

The latest wave of the disease was detected on November 3, when 112 people, including duty doctors, paramedics and attendants, at the intensive care unit (ICU) of the Sandeman Hospital were infected.

According to Dr Saqib Ansari, platelet counts range from 400,000 to 500,000 in a normal human body but the Congo virus directly affects the bone marrow, leading to a significant reduction in platelets. The bacteria associated with the Congo virus consume human platelets.

In November, the health department in Sindh issued an advisory to curb the spread of the Congo virus, instructing the hospitals to issue red alerts and standard operating procedures (SOPs) regarding the virus.