A patient who had symptoms of the Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (Congo fever) died on Tuesday in Lahore according to local reports.
Congo fever is a tick-borne viral disease which is mainly transferred to humans from pets. Its symptoms include fever, flu, bloody urine, vomiting and nose bleeding. Thirty percent of the cases result in death on the second week of the illness.
According to media reports, 31-year-old Zeeshan, a suspected patient of the fever was under treatment at a private clinic in Lahore’s Ferozepur Road area. He was brought to the hospital five days back, but died of the illness on Tuesday morning.
Medics said blood samples of the patient have been sent to National Institute of Health.
His family member said Zeeshan’s health destabilized after he visited local cattle market to purchase a sacrificial animal.
This is first death caused by the Congo fever in Punjab; however, the provincial health department has not so far confirmed the diagnosis and today’s death officially.