Two more Congo virus cases emerge
Patients from Quetta and Loralai sent for specialised treatment
QUETTA: Two more Congo virus cases were confirmed by health officials on Thursday in the districts of Quetta and Loralai, increasing the total number of infections in Balochistan this year to 26
Two new patients have been admitted to the isolation ward of the Fatima Jinnah Chest and TB Hospital in order to receive specialized care. They are Abdul Hameed, 55, from Quetta, and Khan Muhammad, 60, from Loralai.Five deaths have been attributed to the virus so far this year; the most recent was recorded in Quetta on August 16. This has hospital officials concerned. Medical experts are concerned about the rising number of infections and are advising the public to take strong steps to stop the spread.Health officials are stressing how crucial it is to follow safety precautions, such as using masks, keeping a social distance, and washing your hands frequently. Campaigns to raise public awareness are being started to inform communities about the gravity of the situation and the steps they need to take to protect themselves.
Local government authorities, particularly in high-risk locations like Quetta and Loralai, are contemplating the implementation of more stringent lockdowns and travel restrictions in response to the escalating situation. In order to treat people who are most impacted by the outbreak, medical facilities are reallocating resources in anticipation of a possible spike in patient volume. Despite these initiatives, medical experts caution that controlling the virus would become more challenging in the absence of broad public engagement.
Renowned chest specialist Dr. Shireen Khan stressed the importance of raising public awareness of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF). “Preventive efforts are necessary as this virus poses a major threat to public health. In particular, in rural regions, people should wear protective clothing, stay away from direct contact with cattle, and apply bug repellents,” she suggested.
Dr. Khan also brought attention to the increased danger for people who work with animals because ticks that infect cattle are the primary vector for the virus’s propagation. “Early diagnosis and isolation are critical to preventing further transmission and protecting the community,” he added.
As a result, the health department of Balochistan has stepped up efforts to contain the virus and advised locals to maintain caution, report symptoms as soon as possible, and follow safety precautions. Given the rising volume of instances, collaboration to lower the virus’s impact requires communication between the general public and medical experts. A virus called CCHF is carried by ticks and can cause severe hemorrhagic fever in people. It is mainly transmitted via tick bites, particularly from members of the Hyalomma species, or by coming into contact with the tissues or blood of infected animals.
The virus can also spread from person to person through contact with contaminated bodily fluids, which makes healthcare environments particularly risky for infection.
The disease was first discovered in the Crimea in 1944 and then again in the Congo in 1956. Today, it is endemic in many areas, including Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and portions of Africa. Russia, Turkey, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and other nations often report outbreaks. Due to the widespread presence of tick vectors, CCHF poses a threat to vast geographic regions .
