QUETTA: A suspected patient was confirmed having been infected by the deadly disease Congo hemorrhagic fever here on Wednesday.
According to health officials, four persons were brought to Fatima Jinnah Hospital, Quetta, on suspicion of Congo Fever where one of them was diagnosed as having carrying the deadly virus.
The patient, identified as Noor Ali, is an Afghan national settled in Quetta.
It is important to mention here that amid apprehensions of Congo Virus infection ahead of Eidul Azha, the federal health officials have prepared an advisory for protection from the disease.
According to sources, experts of the National Institute of Health have prepared the special advisory with regard to the Congo hemorrhagic fever, to create awareness in medical professionals as well as general public.
Possibility of Congo Virus infection increases in Eidul Azha days, owing to countrywide transportation of cattle and increasing human contact with animals, according to the federal advisory.
The departments concerned should take timely precautionary measures in cattle markets and other places across the country for protection from the Congo virus.
The health officials advised general public to ensure that their sacrificial animals have been free from the tick causes the virus infection. They also advised people to use germicides after consultation with the livestock department.
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 highly contagious virus is transmitted into the human body and the person falls ill.
The initial symptoms of Congo hemorrhagic fever include headache, high fever, rashes, back pain, joint pain, stomach pain and vomiting.
The death rate of Congo hemorrhagic fever patients has been 10 to 40 percent, according to the federal health advisory.
