KARACHI – Sindh has reported its second death caused by the deadly Congo virus this year, raising serious concerns among health officials and experts about the virus’s spread in urban areas like Karachi.
The Sindh Health Department said that the latest victim was a 26-year-old resident of Ibrahim Hyderi, Karachi. He was initially admitted to Jinnah Hospital but was later transferred to the Sindh Infectious Diseases Hospital due to the unavailability of an isolation ward.
The patient succumbed to the virus on Thursday morning after being shifted to the specialized facility on Sunday.
Earlier, the province’s first Congo virus was confirmed in a 42-year-old man from the Malir area of Karachi. He tested positive on June 16 and passed away the next day, June 17.
The health experts describe the Congo virus—also known as Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF)—as highly fatal, with survival chances estimated at only 10%. The virus is transmitted from animals to humans, often through ticks, and can also spread between humans through contact with infected blood or bodily fluids.
Typical symptoms include high fever, bleeding from the nose and gums, blood in the stool and severe body pain.
The medical professionals have urged the public just to be careful while having livestock, and take strict precautions. They also asked the public to report if any sign of illness immediately appeared.
The officials are urging hospitals to ensure the availability of isolation wards and are working to increase awareness about the virus among the general public and healthcare workers alike.
