Karachi: A 28-year-old man from Landhi has died at Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) after exhibiting symptoms consistent with Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF), commonly known as the Congo virus.
The patient, identified as M. Zubair, was admitted to JPMC’s emergency department on September 24 with high-grade fever, severe body pain, vomiting of blood, and black stools (melena).
Doctors immediately suspected viral hemorrhagic fever and shifted him to the isolation ward. Despite being administered emergency treatment, including multiple blood transfusions, his condition deteriorated rapidly, and he could not survive.
Hospital records seen by this correspondent show that the young man was a butcher by profession, which placed him in a high-risk category for contracting Congo virus due to direct exposure to livestock.
Blood samples were sent for laboratory testing, and a PCR test conducted at JPMC’s Molecular Genetics Lab confirmed the presence of CCHF RNA. The report, issued on September 26, marked the test as “Detected,” strongly suggesting active or recent infection.
A spokesperson for the Sindh Health Department on also confirmed that the death of 28-year-old Zubair, a butcher from Karachi’s Landhi area, was caused by Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF). The case was reported on September 26, following laboratory confirmation through PCR testing which detected the Congo virus.
The department’s surveillance team subsequently investigated the case, reviewing the patient’s exposure, contact history, and associated risk factors, and verified that he had direct contact with animals and ticks due to his profession.
According to the department, the patient developed symptoms on September 24 and was admitted to Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre the same day with high-grade fever, cough, shortness of breath, and bleeding from the mouth and rectum. Despite being isolated immediately and given resuscitation, he died within hours of admission.
Laboratory findings confirmed CCHF PCR positive, while tests for malaria and dengue were negative. Officials said the case has been fully verified, and hospital staff have been alerted to continue strict infection-control measures. Officials say it is the 6th death due to Congo Crimean Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) in Sindh.
Medical experts note that Congo virus is transmitted to humans through ticks found on livestock or by direct contact with the blood and tissues of infected animals, particularly around the time of Eid-ul-Azha when large numbers of sacrificial animals are handled in urban areas. Butchers, cattle traders, and people involved in slaughtering are considered at highest risk.
Common symptoms include sudden high fever, headache, body pain, and bleeding from the mouth, nose, or other sites. If untreated, the disease often proves fatal. Doctors stress that early diagnosis, isolation, and supportive treatment are crucial for survival.
Health authorities in Sindh have placed hospitals on alert and directed medical staff to follow strict infection-control protocols. Citizens are advised to wear gloves, cover exposed skin, and avoid direct contact with animal blood or ticks when handling livestock.
This case has sparked concern in Karachi, as Congo virus has been a recurring threat in Pakistan, with cases surfacing almost every year. Public health officials are monitoring the situation closely to prevent further spread.
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