MULTAN - The killer Congo Virus has arrived in Multan as the blood sample of a labourer namely Altaf, who died in Nishtar Hospital two days back, was found positive, The Nation has learnt.
The death of the labourer namely Altaf, who used to work at a cattle shed on Dunyapur Road, spread panic and Health Department is learnt to have adopted immediate preventive measures to stop the spread of the virus. Hospital sources disclosed that all the doctors, nurses and other staff, who attended the patient, are also put under a 14-day observation during which they will be examined on daily basis. Similarly, it is decided to burn the bed, mattress and all other items used by the patient.
The deceased Altaf, a resident of Muzaffargarh, worked at a cattle shed for the last four years and doctors suspected that he was bit by any insect living on animals as parasites. He was brought to Nishtar Hospital with high fever and the doctors sent his blood sample to National Institute of Health (NIH) after getting suspicious that the patient was suffering from Congo fever.
The local health authorities have informed Secretary Health and Director General Health Punjab about the presence of Congo virus in Multan. Sources said that the health department evolved a strategy with the collaboration of livestock department to stop the march of this virus. “Under this policy checking points are set up at all exit and entry points of Multan where vaccination of all animals being brought to this town will be done,” sources added. The health department has issued special direction to the staff deployed at these checkpoints to keep special eye on the animals coming from Balochistan and Afghanistan.