Sindh has confirmed its first death from Congo virus in 2025, after a 42-year-old man from District Malir, Karachi, passed away on June 17. He had tested positive for the virus and admitted to Indus Hospital, Korangi, on June 16. This is the first confirmed fatality linked to the Congo virus in Karachi this year.
The patient had no recent travel history, raising concerns about local transmission of Congo virus in urban settings. Health authorities are monitoring the situation, especially as the risk of spread increases during Eid ul Adha due to the movement and slaughter of sacrificial animals.
Congo virus, medically known as Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF), a viral disease transmitted through tick bites or direct contact with infected animal blood and tissues. Most commonly reported in individuals involved in animal handling or slaughter. The virus has a reported case fatality rate of 10 to 40 percent, according to global health guidelines. Currently, no vaccine is available for the virus.
The National Institute of Health had issued a public advisory in April 2025, warning of potential outbreaks of Congo virus ahead of Eid ul Adha. The advisory emphasized preventive steps such as wearing protective clothing, using tick repellents, and maintaining hygiene during animal handling.
