Latest news with #CCHF
Express Tribune
12 hours ago
- Health
- Express Tribune
Second Congo virus death reported in Malir
Sindh has reported its second casualty from the Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) Known as Congo virus in 2025, after a fisherman from Ibrahim Hyderi died on June 19. A confirmed case of Congo virus was reported in Malir district after 25-year-old fisherman from Ibrahim Hyderi, identified as Muhammad Zubair was admitted to Jinnah Hospital on June 16 with severe symptoms, including high fever, muscle pain, abdominal pain, cough, diarrhea, and bleeding. Upon suspicion of Congo virus infection and due to limited facilities, he was referred to the Sindh Infectious Diseases Hospital & Research Centre (SIDH & RC), where he passed away on June 19. Following the death, the Sindh Health Department has mobilised an Active Search and Response Team to the affected locality. Health officials have gathered information from the family and identified all individuals who were in contact with the patient. As of now, no other person has been reported with the virus. However, residents and family members have been counseled on preventive measures and early symptom detection.
Express Tribune
19 hours ago
- Health
- 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) .
Arab News
a day ago
- Health
- Arab News
Pakistan's second Congo virus death for 2025 confirmed in Karachi
KARACHI: A 25-year-old fisherman has died from Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) in Karachi, health authorities confirmed on Thursday, marking Pakistan's second fatality from the tick-borne virus this year. The patient, Mohammad Zubair, a resident of Qur'angi Creek in Bin Qasim Town, butchered animals for two days during Eid Al-Adha earlier this month and developed high-grade fever, muscle pain and bleeding complications days later, according to a report by the District Health Officer (DHO) Malir. 'Active search of case was done surrounding that area, no any other case was found,' the official notification said, adding that Zubair's family members were stable and showing no symptoms of the disease. This comes just days after a 42-year-old man, also from Karachi's Malir district, died of CCHF on June 17. According to the Sindh Health Department, his test report came back positive a day earlier, making him the province's first confirmed fatality from the virus this year. The Congo virus, which has a fatality rate ranging between 10 to 40 percent depending on timely treatment and the patient's condition, is endemic in parts of Africa, Europe and Asia. In Pakistan, infections often spike around Eid Al-Adha, when millions of animals are bought, transported and slaughtered, increasing human exposure to infected ticks and animal blood. Local health teams have carried out community awareness sessions in Karachi's affected areas and advised residents to use protective clothing and follow hygiene measures when handling livestock. There is currently no approved vaccine for the Congo virus, though experimental trials are underway in Europe. Pakistan reported its first case of CCHF in 1976 and continues to see sporadic outbreaks, particularly in rural areas and provinces like Balochistan, which recorded 23 cases and five deaths last year.
News18
a day ago
- Health
- News18
Dengue To Nipah: NIV Developing Vaccines For These Deadly Viruses In India
Last Updated: With Nakshatra supercomputer at NIV Pune, virus mutations can be tracked in real time, speeding up vaccine development and enabling swift national response The National Institute of Virology's (NIV) fight against deadly viruses is gaining momentum far beyond dengue. While India's first indigenous dengue vaccine has reached the final phase of human trials—an important breakthrough in tackling the mosquito-borne illness—NIV is also developing vaccines and diagnostic tools for several other high-risk viruses, aiming to reduce the country's reliance on imported technology and boost epidemic preparedness. The Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD) virus, prevalent in Karnataka and surrounding forests, causes a severe fever, and its vaccine is now in an advanced stage. Chandipura Virus The Chandipura virus, which induces high fever in children, is also being targeted by NIV for a vaccine. Nipah Virus India is developing a vaccine for the highly lethal Nipah virus using monoclonal antibody technology. CCHF Virus The zoonotic Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) virus is also under surveillance by the NIV, where work on a vaccine and diagnostic kit is already underway. These advancements signify India's growing self-reliance in addressing biological threats. With Nakshatra in place, virus mutations can be tracked in real time, accelerating vaccine development and enabling faster national response during outbreaks. The arrival of this supercomputer is being hailed as a revolutionary step in India's virology efforts. Eradicating Dengue India's first indigenous dengue vaccine could mark a turning point in the country's decades-long battle against the disease. The vaccine has shown promise against all four serotypes of the dengue virus, thanks to modern biotechnology advances in the NIV labs. If the final phase of trials is successful, India will soon have its first homegrown and safe dengue vaccine. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from politics to crime and society. Stay informed with the latest India news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! First Published:
Arab News
2 days ago
- Health
- Arab News
Pakistan reports first Congo virus death of 2025 in Karachi
KARACHI: A 42-year-old man lost his life after contracting the Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF), marking the first confirmed fatality from the virus in Pakistan's southern Sindh province this year, the health department said on Wednesday. The fatality rate for the Congo virus ranges from 10 percent to 40 percent, depending on the quality of health care, timeliness of treatment and the patient's overall health, according to the World Health Organization. The virus, which is endemic in parts of Africa, Europe and Asia, is primarily transmitted through tick bites or contact with the blood or tissues of infected animals. 'First case of Congo virus [has been] reported in Sindh,' the Sindh Health Department said in a statement on Wednesday. '42-year-old male was a resident of District Malir,' it continued. 'The test report came out positive on June 16 and the patient passed away on June 17.' Pakistan's southwestern Balochistan province reported 23 Congo virus cases in 2024, with five deaths since January last year. Local medical practitioners said most cases were diagnosed during the summer, when the likelihood of the virus spreading increases, particularly around the Eid Al-Adha festival. The Islamic holiday, marked by the mass slaughter of animals, typically leads to greater human-animal interaction and exposure to infected livestock. Pakistan witnessed its first case of Congo virus in 1976 and remained a major victim for years, according to the National Library of Medicine. The country faces major challenges in combating Congo virus every year due to its specific geographical position and a majority of the population being involved with animal husbandry, it added. There is no approved vaccine for its prevention. The European Medicines Agency in May 2024 approved a Phase I clinical trial in Sweden for a DNA-based vaccine candidate, N-pVAX1, targeting the Congo virus. Separately, the University of Oxford in August 2023 launched a Phase I trial of its ChAdOx2 CCHF vaccine, based on the Oxford/AstraZeneca Covid-19 platform, to assess safety and immune response.
