Suspected Congo virus death stirs panic

Death of an individual due to 'suspected' Crimean Congo Haemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) has caused panic among the people of Rawalpindi and Attock.
Taking prompt notice of the occurrence, the Health Ministry has rushed a team to Attock where villager Firdaus died of suspected virus.
Cattle trader by profession, Firdaus expired on Wednesday afternoon due to acute bleeding disorder here at the Rawalpindi General Hospital (RGH).
Around 34 people, including 26 officials of RGH and eight people of aggrieved family are kept under observation.
Talking to Business Recorder, Federal Health Minister Muhammad Nasir Khan admitted that the tragic death of a villager is a 'suspected' Congo virus case.
He said that the government has taken immediate steps in this regard and blood samples of Firdaus and other medical staff, who attended the patient, are being sent to South Africa for tests.
To a question, Naseer Khan said that a special team comprising doctors of National Institute of Health (NIH) has been sent to Attock for taking complete stock of the situation.
To another question, the minister said that fortunately very small number of CCHF cases have been reported in Pakistan. So far, around 11 cases of Congo virus have been confirmed out of total 59 cases in Balochistan.
He lamented that there is no laboratory for the test of Congo virus in Pakistan, adding that a substantial amount of money is required to set-up a laboratory.
Nasir also said that the government would urge the World Health Organisation (WHO) and other donor agencies to help Pakistan in establishing a laboratory in NIH.
When contacted Health Director General Dr Abdul Majid Rajput said that the results of blood tests of Firdaus and other 34 people, who have been kept under observation, would be available after three weeks.
He said that the NIH has contacted EDO Attock and asked him to brief the people about Congo virus and its precautions.
Briefing about the Congo virus, he said that the virus is transmitted from animals, especially sheep and goats.