KARACHI – Sindh has recorded its first fatality from Congo virus this year, after a 42-year-old man from Karachi’s Malir district passed away at a private hospital on Tuesday.
According to health officials, the patient was admitted with symptoms consistent with Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF), including high fever and internal bleeding. He tested positive soon after admission and died the following morning. The body was taken away by relatives for immediate burial, limiting further medical follow-up or contact tracing at the facility.
Congo virus, a tick-borne illness, is typically transmitted through contact with infected livestock or animal blood, especially during slaughter. It becomes a serious public health concern ahead of Eid-ul-Azha, when increased handling of animals raises the risk of transmission.
In response, the provincial health department has urged the public—especially butchers, livestock handlers, and Eid shoppers—to take extra precautions. These include using gloves, inspecting animals for ticks, and maintaining hygiene during meat preparation.
The government has also activated its disease surveillance teams to monitor other suspected cases, particularly in areas with high livestock activity.
This story has been reported by PakTribune. All rights reserved.