Sindh reports first Congo virus death of 2025
Sindh has reported its first death from Congo virus this year, following the passing of a 42-year-old man in Karachi. The patient, a resident of District Malir, was admitted to Indus Hospital in Korangi on June 16 after testing positive for the virus. He succumbed to the illness the following day.
According to a provincial health department official, the patient had no recent travel history, suggesting local transmission of the virus. Congo virus is a severe viral disease transmitted primarily through tick bites or contact with the blood and tissues of infected animals, particularly during and immediately after slaughter. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports a case fatality rate of 10-40 per cent, with no vaccine currently available. In April, the National Institute of Health (NIH) issued an advisory urging preventive measures ahead of Eidul Azha, when the movement of sacrificial animals increases.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Recorder
18 hours ago
- Business Recorder
Counterfeit medicines: PM launches drive to eradicate black market
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday launched a bold drive to eradicate the lucrative and deadly black market for counterfeit medicines in the country, calling for urgent adoption of cutting-edge technology to tackle the growing menace. Chairing a high-level meeting focusing on the Ministry of National Health, Sharif made it clear there will be no tolerance for substandard drugs putting lives at risk. He urged pharmaceutical companies to seek accreditation from the World Health Organization (WHO). He said such recognition would raise the quality standards of Pakistani medicines and expand export opportunities. Sharif also directed officials to develop a roadmap for collaboration between welfare organisations and the private sector to improve medical services in Islamabad. He described providing top-quality healthcare to the public as a government priority. The prime minister stressed the importance of third-party validation for medical colleges to ensure high standards of education, warning that no compromises would be tolerated. He reiterated that political interference in health sector reforms would not be accepted. The Health Ministry officials briefed the prime minister on challenges facing the health sector and proposed sustainable solutions. They revealed plans to fully digitalise the registration process for medicines and medical equipment by the end of next month. Additionally, efforts are underway to integrate newly established basic health units, regional blood centres, and the Isolation Hospital and Infection Treatment Centre in Islamabad into the mainstream healthcare system with support from the country's affluent class. In a separate meeting, Sharif reviewed progress on the Jinnah Medical Complex and Research Center project in Islamabad, stressing the need for transparency throughout all stages. He described the complex as a future state-of-the-art hospital that will provide advanced medical services and research facilities to the region. The meeting was told that promotional roadshows had been held in China, Turkey, South Korea, and Singapore, attracting interest from globally renowned companies. Two major conferences related to the project also saw participation from 33 companies across 10 countries. The process to acquire 600 acres of land for the complex is reportedly progressing rapidly, with international advertisements placed to recruit experts and consultants. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
a day ago
- Express Tribune
Congo virus claims three lives in K-P
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Health Adviser Ehtesham Ali has confirmed that three individuals have died from the Congo virus so far in the province, while one patient currently undergoing treatment at the hospital has tested positive. Additionally, six suspected patients are admitted and are undergoing diagnostic procedures. He expressed deep sorrow over the loss of precious lives due to the Congo virus at Hayatabad Medical Complex. According to the adviser, two of the deceased patients - both from Karak district - succumbed to the virus last night, while a third, hailing from North Waziristan, passed away on June 16. He attributed the recent outbreak to the lack of precautionary measures during Eid celebrations as animal markets had been established across the province. Ehtesham Ali appealed to the public to strictly follow the health department's guidelines for Congo virus prevention and to exercise caution when handling livestock to avert further loss of life. He further informed that the Department of Health has activated its Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) system to monitor and respond to Congo virus cases promptly. District Health Officers (DHOs) in the affected areas have been notified, and contact tracing along with sanitization efforts are underway at the homes of the deceased to prevent the virus from spreading. It may be recalled that last week, two patients affected by the Congo virus were admitted to HMC in Peshawar with their condition reported to be out of danger initially. According to the hospital spokesperson, 28-year-old Aijaz from Karak was brought to the hospital in critical condition on June 14. Another 23-year-old patient, Safiyan, also from Karak, was admitted on June 15. After receiving medical treatment, both patients are now stable and no longer in critical condition, he claimed. The spokesperson added that both affected individuals work in animal care. In April, Pakistan's National Institute of Health (NIH) issued public health advisories regarding the risks of Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) .
Business Recorder
a day ago
- Business Recorder
Israel says WHO ‘selective silence' deafening after hospital hit in Iranian strike
GENEVA: Israel accused the World Health Organization of a deafening 'selective silence' after a hospital in southern Israel was hit in an Iranian missile strike on Thursday. Daniel Meron, Israel's ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva, said the Soroka Hospital in Beersheba was a civilian facility. In a video on X filmed outside the WHO's headquarters, he demanded a condemnation from the UN health agency. A few hours later, WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus issued a statement saying the reports on attacks on health in the conflict between Iran and Israel were 'appalling', citing the hospital. The Soroka Hospital was left in flames by a bombardment that Iran said targeted a military and intelligence base. In his video, Meron was standing at the road entrance to the WHO's offices in Geneva, with the main building visible in the background. 'I'm here with a clear message to the WHO, to the director general of the WHO, Dr Tedros,' Meron said. Trump to decide on US action in Israel-Iran conflict within two weeks, White House says 'A few hours ago, a ballistic missile was shot from Iran directly at the main hospital in the south of Israel, the Soroka Hospital. Dozens of people were wounded and hundreds were evacuated from this hospital. 'It is not a military site. It is a civilian hospital… the selective silence of the WHO is deafening. 'They must condemn the shooting of ballistic missiles and the targeting from Iran at civilian targets in Israel.' The WHO has repeatedly mentioned damage to healthcare infrastructure in the Gaza Strip since the start of the war in the Palestinian territory, triggered by the October 7, 2023 attacks by Hamas. On Tuesday, the WHO said only 17 of Gaza's 36 hospitals were currently minimally to partially functional. In a message later Thursday on X, Tedros said: 'The escalation of hostilities between Israel and Iran is putting health facilities and access to health care at risk. The reports on the attacks on health so far are appalling.' He cited 'this morning's attack on Soroka Medical Centre', and a hospital in Kermanshah in Iran being 'impacted by a nearby explosion'. 'We call on all parties to protect health facilities, health personnel and patients at all times,' said Tedros. WHO's director for Europe Hans Kluge said he was 'deeply disturbed to learn of the attack on Soroka Hospital', having visited it following the October 7, 2023 attacks. 'Hospitals and health workers must never be targets – under any circumstances,' Kluge said. Israel is in the WHO's Europe region.
