Another Congo virus case emerges in Quetta

QUETTA: A man was diagnosed with a Congo virus in the provincial capital of Quetta, said health officials on Tuesday.

As per details, a patient, identified as Basheer, aged 45 was brought to Fatima Jinnah Hospital over symptoms of the Congo fever. Later, the administration of the hospital confirmed the Congo virus in the patient after blood test reports.

As many as 14 suspected people were brought to the hospital, from which five were discharged, while six were confirmed with the Congo virus after tests, said doctors.

Meanwhile, on the orders of the health minister, the medical and health services department issued an advisory for the citizens, asking them to wear masks, gloves and full sleeves’ light-colored clothes. “The public should wear gloves while touching the animals however avoids doing this too many times,” the advisory said.

The citizens were also instructed to avoid eating anything in the cattle places and keep boiled water with them for drinking. The advisory also asked the people to ask their butchers to wear gloves and wash their hands frequently while getting meat from them.

The disease is caused when a tick attaches itself to the skin of cattle and when that infected tick or animal comes in contact with people. The initial symptoms of Congo fever include headache, high fever, rashes, back pain, joint pain, stomach pain and vomiting.