The Health Department has reported a recent outbreak of the Congo virus in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), resulting in four fatalities, with two KP residents and two Afghans among the affected.
Positive Recoveries and Ongoing Cases
In a glimmer of hope, nine individuals have successfully recovered from the virus transmitted by ticks. However, the region has seen a total of 14 cases of the Congo virus in the first seven months of this year.
Ongoing Efforts and Challenges
The Health Department declared that they discharged one patient from the hospital following their recovery in the past 24 hours. Simultaneously, another patient is currently undergoing treatment at Hayatabad Medical Complex in Peshawar. Unfortunately, the Congo virus has also claimed eight lives in Balochistan, raising concerns for public health.
Understanding the Congo Virus and Its Transmission
The Congo virus, also known as Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF), primarily spreads through ticks but can also be transmitted to humans through animal blood or bodily fluids. Various livestock, such as cattle, sheep, and goats, serve as carriers of the CCHF virus. Moreover, hospitals have reported cases of CCHF transmission due to contaminated medical equipment, reused needles, and inadequate sterilization practices.
