The new wave of Congo virus in Pakistan: emerging threat

Congo virus, or Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF), is a tick-borne disease caused by a single-stranded RNA virus (genus nairovirus, Bunyaviridae family). It spreads through infected ticks' bites or contact with viremic individuals or livestock. Factors supporting its spread include hot, humid climates, limited pesticide use, poor animal control, inadequate irrigation during monsoons, and vector control deficiencies. Nosocomial transmission in under-resourced hospitals poses a threat to healthcare workers. Decades of CCHF cases persist in Pakistan due to these factors, with six deaths reported by June 2023. To combat the epidemic, Pakistan should raise awareness, improve irrigation, establish surveillance systems, and implement livestock quarantine and vaccination.