The first Congo virus case of the year has been reported in Karachi, with the patient currently under medical care at Jinnah Hospital.
The patient, a 32-year-old man, was admitted to Ward 5 at Jinnah Hospital with symptoms of high fever and diarrhea. The situation became critical when lab tests confirmed the presence of the deadly Congo virus, raising concerns within the hospital.
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Hospital officials stated that the patient’s condition necessitated an immediate transfer to the intensive care unit (ICU). They emphasized the severity of the situation, noting that the Congo virus is a life-threatening infection with a survival rate of only 10%.
The Congo virus, often reported around Eid-ul-Adha due to increased livestock movement, is transmitted from animals to humans and can spread further between humans.
Dr. Nausheen, Deputy Executive Director of Jinnah Hospital, confirmed that the patient is being transferred to the National Institute of Infectious Diseases (NIIED) for specialized care.
In a related case from November 2023, a 42-year-old man from Karachi’s East District was diagnosed with the Congo virus. The Sindh Health Department’s spokesperson had confirmed that the man was admitted to a private hospital after exhibiting symptoms of the virus.
Medical experts have outlined symptoms of the Congo virus to include a drop in white blood cells, high fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, fatigue, weakness, drowsiness, and mouth ulcers.
