Two doctors at Karachi's Jinnah Hospital feared to have contracted Congo virus

A representational image of a tick carrying Congo virus. — Reuters/File

 

Two Doctors at Karachi’s Jinnah Hospital Suspected of Congo Virus Exposure

A representational image of a tick carrying Congo virus. — Reuters/File Two house officers at Jinnah Hospital showed probable signs of Crimean Congo Hemorrhagic Fever , also referred to as the Congo virus, following deaths from the contagion in the Sindh province raising concerns on...

Two house officers at Jinnah Hospital in Karachi are suspected to have contracted Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF), commonly known as the Congo virus, after they treated a patient infected with the disease. The doctors began showing symptoms — high fever and abdominal pain — the day after providing care.

According to Executive Director Dr. Shahid Rasool, one doctor is isolating at home while the other remains in the hospital’s ICU. Their PCR samples have been forwarded to a laboratory, with results expected by Monday. In response, the hospital has established a fever desk in its emergency department.

Meanwhile, a 26-year-old man from Karachi’s Ibrahim Hyderi area died on June 19 after being diagnosed with the Congo virus. Sindh’s health authorities confirm this as the second documented fatality from the virus this year.

CCHF is a tick-borne hemorrhagic fever with a fatality rate between 10% and 40%. Transmission occurs through tick bites or contact with blood or tissues of infected animals, particularly during slaughter. Currently, there is no approved vaccine.

FAQs:

Q: What is Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF)?

CCHF is a viral hemorrhagic disease transmitted by ticks or contact with infected animal blood or tissues.

Q: How dangerous is it?

Death rates range from 10% to 40%, depending on factors such as access to medical care.

Q: Are there vaccines or cures?

There is no vaccine currently available. Treatment is largely supportive and symptomatic.

Q: How did these doctors get exposed?

They treated a patient infected with CCHF, and developed symptoms shortly thereafter.

Q: What preventive measures can be taken?

Use tick repellents, wear protective clothing, avoid direct contact with blood or tissues of animals, and maintain rigorous infection control in medical settings.