QUETTA: Officials in Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan province confirmed a case of Congo virus on Friday, with health authorities across the country already on alert amid an ongoing mpox outbreak in various parts of the world.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the fatality rate for Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF), commonly known as the Congo virus, ranges from 10 percent to 40 percent.
This implies that out of every 100 infected people, between 10 and 40 may succumb to the illness, depending on factors such as the quality of health care, the timeliness of treatment and the patient’s overall health condition.
The disease is primarily transmitted through tick bites or contact with infected animal blood or tissues, with the virus being endemic in parts of Africa, Europe and Asia.
A senior doctor at Quetta’s Fatima Jinnah Chest Hospital told Arab News that a 14-year-old boy, Siraj Ahmed, from Khanozai, 77 kilometers from Quetta, has tested positive for the virus.
“The infected patient is being treated in the Congo isolation ward, but we have another suspected Congo patient whose report is yet to be confirmed,” Dr. Zubair Mandokhail, deputy medical superintendent at the facility, said.
Balochistan has reported 23 cases of Congo fever this year, with five deaths attributed to the disease since January.
Most Congo cases are diagnosed in the province during the summer season, according to local medical practitioners.
The likelihood of its spread increases around Eid Al-Adha, an Islamic festival celebrated after the annual Hajj pilgrimage when people buy and slaughter animals in large numbers.
Many Afghan patients infected by the virus also travel to Quetta for better treatment and medical care.
Dr. Ali Ahmed Reki, the medical superintendent at Fatima Jinnah Chest Hospital, said doctors had handled nearly 45 suspected Congo cases this year, of which 23 had tested positive.
“We have been receiving suspected patients in routine but the number of cases rises during Eid Al-Adha when a majority people visit cattle markets to buy sacrificial animals,” he told Arab News.
Congo virus case reported in southwest Pakistan amid high alert for mpox outbreak
https://arab.news/g9g8w
Congo virus case reported in southwest Pakistan amid high alert for mpox outbreak
- Balochistan has reported 23 cases of Congo fever this year, with five deaths attributed to the disease
- Medical practitioners say most Congo cases are diagnosed in the province during the summer season
PCB sets Feb. 11 as date for player auction for Pakistan Super League 11th edition
- The squad composition would be a minimum of 16 players and a maximum of 20
- The number of foreign players would be five to seven depending on the squad size
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Sunday announced that the player auction for the 11th edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) will be held on Feb. 11, setting the stage for franchises to begin assembling squads for the country’s premier Twenty20 tournament.
The development came after a workshop regarding PSL player auction at the Qaddafi Stadium, which was presided over by PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi and PSL CEO Salman Naseer.
The workshop was attended by PSL officials, all eight franchise representatives, members of Pakistan’s T20 World Cup squad, PCB officials and other capped players.
“The HBL PSL management shared a detailed presentation on the mechanics of the retention and the auction process and consulted with all the participants,” the PCB said.
“It was agreed that the HBL PSL player auction will take place on Wednesday, 11 February.”
The squad composition would be a minimum of 16 players and maximum of 20 players per franchise. The number of foreign players would be five to seven depending on the squad size, according to the PCB.
It would be mandatory for the franchises to play minimum of three and maximum of four foreign players in the playing XI. The teams are also required to have minimum of two uncapped Under 23 players in the squad and one in the playing XI.
Players either retained or picked in the auction will be engaged for two-year contracts with their respective franchise teams, the board said, adding that franchise teams will be able to retain a maximum of seven players for the 12th edition of the tournament.
“I’m delighted that a consultative and productive session was held between the franchises, players and management today resulting in informed and strategic decisions which will pave the way for bright future for the HBL PSL,” Naqvi said.
“The Player Auction model is a landmark step for the HBL PSL, offering players better financial opportunities through an increased salary purse and a transparent acquisition process, while making the league more competitive and attractive.”
PSL CEO Naseer said the player auction system modernizes player recruitment by promoting fairness, transparency, and market-driven value, strengthening the PSL’s appeal for both players and franchises.
“Today’s workshop saw all views being taken into consideration and this rich feedback will be reflected in our execution of a successful player auction scheduled next month,” he said.
PSL has become a key pillar of the country’s cricket economy, providing financial stability to the PCB and serving as a talent pipeline for the national team. The 11th edition of the league is set to begin from Mar. 26 while the final is expected to be played on May 3, as per the PCB’s schedule.
