Twenty-eight of the 41 patients with viral hemorrhagic fever, commonly known as "Congo fever" admitted to the Infectious Disease Control Unit of Aga Khan University (AKU) during last more than one month period have fully recovered and thus been discharged.
Dr Afia Zafar talking to APP here on Thursday said, five patients, however, could not survive due to severity of their condition under which they were brought to the hospital.
Given further details of these cases, she said about seven patients suspected to be suffering from one or the other kind of viral haemorrhage fever were confirmed to be inflicted with dengue fever while one was suffering from Congo Crimean Hemorrhagic fever.
"Their status was lab confirmed," she said answering a query. The doctor further mentioned most of the clinically suspected patients, aged between three to 55 years, including 24 men and 15 women, have recovered due to the fact that their infection ranged between mild to moderate; hence, with significantly good chances to survive.
Dr Afia Zafar replying to another question said most of the patients, 34, belonged to Karachi, followed by four from Jacobabad, three from Hyderabad, and one from Larkana.
Regarding the source of virus, she said it was the tick found on cattle and the viral transmission is mainly animal to animal but there are always chances of animal to human transmission and those inflicted with the virus can transmit to others through mucosal exposure.
Meanwhile, Infectious Disease Department of Liaquat National Hospital will organise a meeting to discuss Viral Hemorrhagic Fever at its auditorium on Monday.
Medical Director of the Hospital in a press statement here on Friday said varied aspects of the disease will be discussed by senior experts about the issue.