Congo fever death toll rises to six in Pak's Karachi

The death toll from a possible outbreak of Congo fever in Pakistan's Karachi city has risen to six after an Afghan national died of the virus, triggering panic among residents ahead of the Eid festival next month.
Salamuddin Amir Muhammad, who had come to the port city from Kabul for treatment, died of Crimean Congo Haemorrhagic Fever (CCHF), commonly known as the Congo fever, on Sunday.
The CCHF is a tick-borne viral disease carried by several domestic and wild animals.
Muhammad's nephew, Naseem Ahmed, confirmed his uncle used to slaughter cattles himself for household consumption.
Four deaths have been reported in the city since July 30 due to the disease. On August 19, a cattle trader who had come to Karachi to sell animals for sacrifice during the Eid-ul Azha festival in September died of the fever.

Around 100 animals have also died mysteriously at the makeshift livestock market spread over 900 acres in Karachi.

Traders at the market say unless health authorities take immediate steps to fumigate the area more trouble is expected.
Recent rains have worsened the situation and people are scared to come to the market, trader Saleem Malik said.
Another trader said there's no electricity at the market for the past three days.
Aamir Raees, Director at the national research centre for agriculture in Islamabad, told PTI nine deaths have occurred at two Quetta hospitals in Balochistan from the Congo virus this year.

Dr Mukhtar of Multan's Fatima Jinnah hospital said mortality rate from the virus neared 40 per cent this season.