QUETTA: A distressing incident has struck Quetta as a doctor tragically lost his life due to the Congo virus, prompting grave concerns among healthcare professionals and the public. This unfortunate development is accompanied by the infection of eight staff members, including five doctors, at the Quetta Civil Hospital, highlighting the severity of the situation.
The Balochistan Health Department’s spokesperson has officially confirmed the doctor’s demise due to the Congo virus, sending shockwaves through the medical community. Dr. Shukrullah, the doctor who succumbed to the virus, was swiftly transferred to a private hospital in Karachi, where he tragically lost his battle with this deadly virus. The chilling fact is that he had been infected with the Congo virus just three days prior to his untimely death.
In response to the outbreak, seven individuals infected with the virus have been airlifted to a private hospital in Karachi for urgent treatment as their conditions deteriorated. To contain the spread of the virus, authorities have taken proactive measures, setting up isolation wards at the Civil Hospital, Sheikh Zayed Hospital, and Fatima Jinnah Hospital in Quetta.
Alarming reports have also emerged, revealing four cases of the Congo virus in Peshawar, which emphasizes the need for heightened vigilance and containment efforts. Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, known as CCHF, is a severe tick-borne disease that poses a significant threat to public health.
CCHF is primarily transmitted to humans through tick bites or contact with infected animal blood or tissues during and immediately following slaughter. The virus can result in high fever, muscle pain, vomiting, and internal bleeding. This devastating disease carries a high fatality rate, and there is currently no vaccine or specific treatment available, making the situation even more critical.
The transmission of the CCHF virus is primarily through ticks found on cattle and other livestock, underscoring the need for enhanced preventive measures to protect both healthcare workers and the general population from this life-threatening virus. As the situation unfolds, health authorities are working tirelessly to curb the spread of the Congo virus and prevent further loss of life.
