"Congo virus" kills man in Pakistan: report

A patient of suspected Congo Crimean virus died Tuesday at a private hospital in Pakistani southern port city Karachi, a TV channel reported.

Haji Gul Kakar, a resident of Quetta and infected with Congo Crimean virus who was shifted to Karachi from Khuzdar in Pakistan's southwestern Balochistan province for medical treatment last week, Tuesday died at hospital's Intensive Care Unit (ICU) due to Congo Crimean Haemorrhagic Fever (CCHF), Geo TV reported.

According to the report, Kahar was brought at Aga Khan hospital in Karachi with complaint of severe fever. His early diagnosis showed that he was suffering from Malaria.

However, on rapid decrease in his blood platelets, tests were performed to ascertain whether he was suffering from any haemorrhagic fever like Dengue or Congo Crimean. Tests showed that he was infected with Congo Crimean virus.

Kakar was treated with utmost care and adopting all kinds of precautionary measures, and unfortunately passed away this evening.

The hospital spokesman said that Kakar was shifted to the ICU, where he was kept in isolation so that other patients could not be affected.

His corpse was handed over to his relatives by taking all the required precautions, he added.

Source: Xinhua