Rafiullah Mandokhail

 ZHOB: Congo fever claimed another life raising death toll to four persons in a week. Health official said on Sunday.

Sultan 25, resident of Zhob city suffering from Congo hemorrhagic fever expired during treatment at a private hospital. The death toll reached to four in a week in Zhob district of Balochistan province. But no preventive measures have been adopted so for in the area.

According to health officials, few days ago Congo outbreak in Meena bazaar area of district Zhob claimed two lives while three others including a woman referred to Quetta and Multan from Combined Military Hospital for treatment.

Tawiz Khan, Abdullah Jan and another resident of Meena bazaar village suffered from Congo fever died few days back.

“The symptoms they exhibited indicated that they had contracted the Congo virus,” said Dr. Zain ud Din at DHQ hospital.

People of the area have criticized the one year poor performance of a non-governmental organization Relief International – working for the prevention of Crimean Congo hemorrhagic fever in Zhob district. They alleged that the authorities of the organization were limited merely receiving their salaries and privileges and they did nothing to create awareness among the masses about CCHF.

Deputy Director Livestock and Dairy Development Dr. Baha ul Haq Mandokhail said that CCHF is a viral and fatal disease that caused by a tick-born virus. Man-to-man transmission can occur resulting from close contact with the blood, secretions or other bodily fluids of infected patient.

“Zhob is on route of gypsies (nomads) where they temporarily stay with their cattle. Lack of awareness is the biggest reason of cattle-born diseases in the area.” He added.