Congo Disease

 Written by: Arif Rahimi

According to the information provided by the authorities of Herat provincial hospital, about 154 cases of Congo virus are registered in that hospital from the beginning of this year. Among these cases, 40 are women. 4 men and 4 women patients have died from the mentioned numbers and 144 patients are treated.

AEPO’s writer/producer has talked to some patients who are suffering from Congo disease.

Najmuddin, a resident of Mazar-e-Sharif says: “I am suffering from vomiting; headache; body ache; backache and blood comes from my mouth and nose.”

Ahmad Fawad Nizami, a resident of Logar province says: “My brother is suffering from Congo disease. He is suffering from dizziness, insomnia, vomiting blood and he has lost his appetite.”

Doctor Abdul Mubeen Nabizai Tarakai, Congo disease specialist in Herat provincial Hospital talks about the signs and symptoms of the Congo virus: “Symptoms including headache, high fever, back pain, joint pain, stomach pain, blood accumulation under the skin and vomiting. Red eyes, a flushed face, red spots on the palate are common. Symptoms may also include jaundice, and in severe cases, changes in mood and sensory perception. If not treated on time, the patient might die.”

What do people think about the causes of this disease?

Waseel Ahmad, a teacher at Amani High school, Kabul city says: “My wife and my son are suffering from Congo Virus but I don’t know about the cause of it.”

Nadia Wardak says: “If we do not wash and not cook the meat well, we might face Congo virus.”

Fawad Nizamy says: “My brother has kept a cat at home. When he hugged and fed with meat the cat, he affected with Congo virus.” 

Doctor Faridullah Omary, a specialist of infectious diseases, Kabul's Infectious Diseases Hospital says: “Congo virus is typically spread by tick bites of contact with livestock carrying the disease. If the blood, particles of spit and urine of the affected person touch to a small wound of a healthy person, the virus could easily be transferred to him/her. Eating not well-cooked meat infected with the Congo virus also transfers the Congo virus. The Congo virus doesn’t have any signs in animals.”

How could people prevent this disease?

Alhaj Imamuddin, a resident of Kabul province says: “I have been keeping livestock from ten years ago. I have built a big barn for them in my home yard, 15 meters away from our living rooms. I spray the barn, and livestock according to the animals’ doctor advice and we have not seen any disease in our livestock.”