BAHAWALPUR: Panic gripped the Bahawalpur Victoria Hospital (BVH) after confirmation of a Congo virus patient on Saturday.

As the hospital administration confirmed that Zafar (32) was having Congo virus, there was unrest among the patients in indoor wards as well as outpatient department and they started leaving their wards in fear and anxiety.

BVH Medical Superintendent Dr Aamir Bokhari told Dawn that Zafar, a resident Chak 130-R in Jahanian tehsil of Khanewal district, the laboratory test confirmed that Zafar was infected with Congo virus.

According to him, the patient was admitted to the BVH as a dengue virus suspect on Sept 12. His blood samples were sent to the laboratory from where the report was received on Saturday. Now, he would be given treatment for Congo virus.

The MS said the patient, a cattle handler, had contact with cattle where he got infected with Congo virus and the doctors were trying to save his life. He was hopeful that during the next few days, the virus might be controlled. He said strict precautionary measures were being taken in the dengue ward from where Zafar had now been shifted to another portion for safety of other dengue virus suspects. He said security measures had been beefed up and the entry of the people and any suspects had been banned in that ward and portion of the dengue ward.

Dr Bokhari expressed satisfaction that the BVH had complete arrangements to tackle such Congo virus and dengue virus patients effectively and there was no cause for alarm.

Regarding the panic, which gripped the BVH premises on Saturday, the MS said it was just fear among them and the situation was completely under control and there was no need for panic.

Published in Dawn, September 15th, 2024