Balkh: 40 people infected with Congo fever in 2 months

MAZAR-I-SHARIF (Pawjhok): Two people died from Congo fever during the past two months in northern Balkh province after 40 positive cases were registered, officials said on Wednesday.

The virus is primarily transmitted to people from ticks and livestock and by consuming the meat of infected animals.

Doctor Khalil Ahmad Khalil, director of Infectious Diseases Hospital in Mazar-i-Sharif, told Pajhwok Afghan News they registered 40 positive cases of Congo Fever since May and two of the patients died from the infection.

According to Khalil, the patients included nine women.

Meanwhile, doctors expressed concern over the spike in Congo fever cases.

Doctor Khitabuddin Yousufzai, a specialist at the Infectious Diseases Hospital, said the disease was transmitted to humans by bites of infected ticks and eating the meat of infected animals.

He said mostly butchers, shepherds, ranchers or women raising animals at their houses were exposed to the threat of Congo fever illness.

Mohammad Latif Shamsi, another doctor, also expressed his concern about the surge in Congo Fever cases and asked people to observe hygiene.

He said: “Eidul Adha is approaching; all people must observe hygiene, especially when they slaughter animals and they must use gloves and masks to protect themselves from the disease”.

Some of the infected people accepted the virus was transmitted to from animals.

Abdul Basit, who buys and sells animals, said he brought a cow from Takhar province to Mazar-i-Sharif city and after a few days later, his nose started bleeding and then he went to the hospital where doctors told him he had Congo fever.

Shekiba, whose sister is infected with Congo fever, she said: “My sister raises sheep and cows, she might have get inflicted with this illness from the animals”.

Shekiba advised other people to stay away from animals to prevent this illness.

The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) has announced that 1,200 people have been infected with Congo Fever all over the country.

aw/ma