On the rise: Congo virus claims another life

The 51-year-old victim was laid to rest in Liaquatabad.


Our Correspondent September 26, 2014

KARACHI:


Another person affected by the Congo virus died in the city on Thursday taking the total death toll to two.


This case reported nine days before Eidul Azha and has created panic among health care providers and those who deal or look after animals at the cattle market located near Sohrab Goth.

Muhammad Javed, 51, was suffering from the Crimean Congo hemorrhagic fever died in a private hospital on Thursday. Health officials were informed about his death on Friday.

Javed was laid to rest at a graveyard in Liaquatabad. Health officials claim that his family had taken precautionary measures as told by the town health officials and hospital administration.

“The primary responsibility lies with the livestock department. They have to keep a check on the animals,” said Director Health Services Dr Zafar Ejaz. “Our task is to spread awareness.”

Health officials have directed the public to wear white or pastel coloured clothes when visiting the cattle market and handling animals after sunset.

Dr Ejaz said that the death ratio by the virus is 40 per cent, suggesting that such patients exhibiting symptoms of the tick-borne viral disease should be taken to a hospital immediately.

So far the health officials have not been able to ascertain the victim’s medical history.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 27th, 2014.

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