Deadly Congo Fever Kills 5 in Karachi

Author: 
Huma Aamir Malik, Arab News
Publication Date: 
Sun, 2005-11-27 03:00

KARACHI, 27 November 2005 — Emergency was declared in Karachi hospitals following five confirmed deaths, including a female doctor, by hemorrhagic fever during the last six weeks, an official said yesterday.

“At least 45 patients suffering from hemorrhagic fever were admitted since Sept. 10, of which five have died, “ Health Secretary of Sindh province Dr. Naushad A. Shaikh told reporters in Karachi.

Of the remaining 40, about 28 fully recovered and were discharged while others were being treated in various hospitals in Karachi, he added.

Dr. Yusra Afaq, 25, was among the five fatalities, admitted to Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, a week ago after reporting profuse bleeding from mouth, ears and nose. She later died.

The cause of the death of Yusra last week has been identified as Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever.

The remaining four deaths, which occurred over the last six weeks, were also caused by hemorrhagic fever but the exact type was still not known, said Naushad Sheikh.

“The hospitals in Karachi have been put on high alert after 45 more cases of hemorrhagic fever were reported,” he said.

Meanwhile, three more patients of the hemorrhagic fever, including a 13-year girl, were admitted in Karachi’s Civil Hospital.

The federal Health Ministry in Islamabad has circulated a “sensitization alert letter” with Congo fever at the top of the list to hospitals across the country with necessary guidelines.

Doctors say headaches and vomiting, followed by bleeding through the nose, mouth and ears are the symptoms of hemorrhagic fevers. The illness is often accompanied by hepatitis and pulmonary failure.

Shabbir Ahmad Qaimkhani, provincial health minister, said doctors had been instructed to take special protective measures while dealing with patients after Yusra’s death.

“All the patients of hemorrhagic fever are in isolation wards to minimize chances of spread of the disease,” Qaimkhani said.

Four people were killed in southwestern province of Balochistan last year because of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever.

Hemorrhagic fevers are a group of illnesses including CCHF, caused by a tick-borne virus and there are believed to be few effective treatments with no known cure of the disease. Locally called Congo virus fever, the disease is endemic in parts of Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, southern Europe and most of North Africa.

— Additional input from agencies

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