Balochistan declares red alert as Congo virus claims 16 lives

Quetta:  The Balochistan government on Sunday declared a red alert due to the alarming spread of Congo virus fever in the province, resulting in 16 fatalities to date.

Caretaker Chief Minister Mir Ali Mardan Domki directed the health and livestock departments to take immediate measures to contain the disease.

The virus is primarily transmitted to humans through ticks on cattle and other livestock, leading to severe symptoms such as fever, muscle pain, vomiting, and internal bleeding. With a high fatality rate, there is currently no available vaccine or specific treatment for the virus.

The chief minister emphasized the importance of promptly informing the public about the virus and called for anti-viral spray at dairy farms to mitigate the risk. This new strain of Congo virus fever can be fatal for those infected, Domki warned.

“In the event of any symptoms related to Congo virus, immediate medical assistance should be provided to the patient,” stated the Balochistan CM.

Tragically, a doctor diagnosed with the Congo virus passed away in Quetta today while being transferred to Karachi for medical treatment, as reported by a spokesperson for young doctors. This year, Fatima Jinnah Hospital in Quetta has admitted at least 41 patients with the Congo Virus, with 16 of them succumbing to the illness.