Six Fatalities from CCHF in Sindh so Far in 2025: A Closer Look, In 2025, southern Sindh province of Pakistan has witnessed six tragic deaths from Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever (CCHF). This makes it one of the more alarming years in recent memory for this viral hemorrhagic disease in the region. Dawn+3XinhuaNet+3Dawn+3
The Latest Case: A Butcher from Karachi
The most recent victim was a 28-year-old butcher from Karachi’s Landhi area. He was admitted to Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre on September 24, 2025, presenting with fever, vomiting blood (hematemesis), black stools (melena), low blood pressure, and rapid heartbeat. Unfortunately, despite emergency care and isolation, he died the same day. XinhuaNet+4Arab News+4Arab News+4
The Sindh Health Department confirmed via laboratory tests that the case was indeed CCHF, and epidemiological teams immediately began contact tracing and risk assessment. XinhuaNet+3Arab News+3Dawn+3
Geographic Distribution & Demographics
- All six deaths in 2025 were recorded in Sindh province. Arab News+4XinhuaNet+4Dawn+4
- Five of these fatalities occurred within Karachi, with four in the Malir district and one in Thatta. The News International+4The News International+4Dawn+4
- All victims reported so far are male and had occupational or environmental exposure to animals or tick-prone environments. Dawn+3Dawn+3The News International+3
Earlier fatalities in 2025 included:
- Two deaths in June in Karachi’s Malir area
- One death on June 30 in Thatta
- Single deaths in July and August in Malir
These cases collectively underscore the seasonal and occupational dynamics of CCHF in this region. Dawn+2Dawn+2
Understanding CCHF: Transmission, Symptoms, and Challenges
Transmission:
CCHF is a tick-borne viral disease. The virus can spread to humans through:
- Tick bites (especially Hyalomma ticks)
- Direct contact with blood, tissues, or bodily fluids of infected livestock (especially during slaughter)
- Human-to-human transmission via contact with blood or secretions, particularly in healthcare or caregiving settings Dawn+2Dawn+2
Symptoms:
The disease typically begins with sudden onset of high fever, muscle aches, headache, dizziness, and may quickly progress to bleeding (internal and external), liver impairment, and multiorgan failure. Dawn+2Dawn+2
Fatality Rate & Treatment:
CCHF has a high case fatality rate (10 % to 40 %), depending on healthcare access and early detection. Dawn+2Dawn+2
There is no licensed vaccine currently available for humans, and treatment is largely supportive (fluids, blood products, intensive care) with strict isolation precautions. Arab News+3Dawn+3The News International+3
Why Sindh Is Seeing a Spike
Several interlinked factors may explain the rising toll in Sindh:
- Livestock and Slaughter Practices: The summer months and periods around Eid ul-Azha see increased slaughter, offering higher risk exposure. Dawn+2The News International+2
- Tick Ecology & Climate: Warmer weather favors tick proliferation and extended activity.
- Rural-Urban Interface: Karachi being a dense metropolis with both agricultural outskirts and urban slums may face mixed risk settings.
- Healthcare Gaps & Surveillance Delays: Delays in diagnosis, limited isolation capacity, and underreporting can worsen outcomes.
- Public Awareness: Low awareness among high-risk groups (butchers, livestock handlers) and insufficient preventive training contribute to occupational exposure.
What Must Be Done: Recommendations
- Strengthen Surveillance & Early Detection
- Expand laboratory diagnostics and rapid response teams across Sindh.
- Encourage reporting of suspected cases in animal handlers, butchers, and rural zones.
- Public Awareness & Risk Communication
- Run campaigns aimed at butchers, farmers, and rural communities on protective clothing, tick avoidance, and safe slaughtering techniques.
- Distribute education material through local health offices, mosques, and media.
- Personal Protective Measures
- Use gloves, aprons, face shields when handling animals or carcasses.
- Apply repellents and wear long sleeves/trousers in tick-infested areas.
- Healthcare Precautions & Training
- Train hospital staff in strict isolation protocols, use of PPE, safe sample handling.
- Equip facilities with negative-pressure rooms or designated isolation wards.
- Intersectoral Coordination
- Involve veterinary, agricultural, health, and local government agencies in joint surveillance and control.
- Monitor tick populations and livestock infections.
- Research & Policy Advocacy
- Promote research toward vaccines, antiviral therapies, and vector control strategies.
- Push for national policies that prioritize funding for zoonotic disease control.
Conclusion
The death of six individuals from CCHF in Sindh in 2025—especially the concentration in Karachi—is a stark reminder that zoonotic viral threats remain very real in Pakistan. While much cannot be undone, preventive behavior, timely detection, and government attention can help reduce further loss.
For further reading on hemorrhagic fevers in Pakistan and global guidelines, you may refer to the World Health Organization’s CCHF fact sheets (outbound link).
To explore more health articles and updates, visit AlQuwwahNatural Health Section on our site alquwwahnatural.com.
