A fisherman aged 25, from Karachi’s Malir District lost his life to Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) also called the Congo virus. This severe and often fatal illness spreads through ticks or exposure to animal blood.
The District Health Office Malir reported that Zubair, the victim, didn’t have any animals at home nor any confirmed tick bites. However, he had spent two days straight at a cattle market during Eid ul Adha handling and slaughtering animals without using protective gear.
His illness started on June 13 with a high fever severe headache, and muscle aches. By June 16, doctors at JPMC suspected he had the Congo virus so they sent him to Sindh Infectious Diseases Hospital in a critical state.
Doctors placed him on a ventilator, but he passed away on June 19. Lab tests confirmed he had the Congo virus.
Health officials acted fast and sent a team to trace his contacts and investigate. So far, no other symptomatic cases have appeared, and his family is still in good health.
Community health workers organized education sessions to alert locals about the risks of the Congo virus focusing on how it spreads during animal slaughter. They urged people to wear personal protective gear when working with livestock.
Just a day before, Sindh reported its first Congo virus case of 2025, as health officials confirmed the death of a 42-year-old Malir, Karachi resident. The individual passed away after testing positive for Congo Crimean Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF).
The Sindh Health Department shared that the man tested positive on June 16 and died the following day.
This case has sparked fears about how the tick-borne disease might spread.
Ticks found on livestock spread the Congo virus, and humans catch it by coming into contact with infected animals or ticks. The disease has a death rate of 40 to 50 percent.
In Karak district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, two new cases of the Congo virus have been confirmed. Dr Qudratullah, a senior official in the health department, stated that both patients are receiving treatment in a hospital in Peshawar. Their condition is reported to be stable at the moment.
Symptoms of the Congo virus
Congo virus symptoms show up . They include a high fever, headaches joint aches, stomach pain, vomiting, and skin rashes.
Health professionals warn people handling livestock to wear protective clothing and keep things clean.
Officials urged increasing surveillance to monitor cattle farms and stop the virus from spreading further.
