Congo Virus: Symptoms, Precautions and Cure
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ISLAMABAD: Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) commonly known as Congo Virus has taken its roots in Pakistan whereby several cases of the deadly disease have emerged in Pakistan.
The Congo Virus has also resulted in few deaths in Pakistan in last few weeks.
Congo Virus is a widespread disease caused by a tick-borne virus. It was first discovered in Crimea in 1944 and was later also found in Democratic Republic of Congo.
The deadly virus causes severe viral haemorrhagic fever outbreaks with a case fatality rate of 10–40%. It is found in a wide range of wild and domestic animals such as cattle, sheep and goats.
Animals become infected by the bite of infected ticks and the virus remains in their bloodstream for about one week after infection, allowing the tick-animal-tick cycle to continue when another tick bites.
The virus is transmitted to people either by tick bites or through contact with infected animal blood or tissues during and immediately after slaughter.
The majority of cases have occurred in people involved in the livestock industry, such as agricultural workers, slaughterhouse workers and veterinarians
