****FAISALABAD: **A man in Chiniot was rushed to a local hospital in critical condition and has been kept under isolation, with doctors fearing he may have contracted the deadly Ebola virus.
Zulfiqar Ahmad, 40, who resides in Chiniot, returned to Pakistan on November 16 after working for the Togolese Republic in West Africa.
Ahmad faced multiple health-related problems and was admitted to the DHQ Hospital in Chiniot and later shifted to the Allied Hospital by his relatives.
After conducting initial diagnostic tests, doctors said that he may have contracted the Ebola virus.
“He is a chronic patient of various diseases, and was previously admitted in a hospital in Togo for more than 20 days,” Medical Superintendent (MS) Allied Hospital Dr Rashid Maqbool toldThe Express Tribune.
He also stated that Ahmad has a serious liver issue and has been vomiting blood.
“He is in a critical condition and is being provided with maximum facilities available at the hospital. His blood and other samples have been taken which have been sent to the National Health Laboratory in Islamabad to ascertain the possibility of the Ebola virus attack,” Dr Maqbool said.
Further, the doctor said that a special team has been constituted to provide Ahmad exclusive treatment. He added that on the arrival of the analysis report, the possibility of the virus could be ruled out and decided accordingly. Last month, the Sindh Assembly adopted a resolution recommending the Sindh government to take precautionary measures against the Ebola virus by establishing isolation wards to quarantine Ebola patients, have Ebola screening desks and to approach the federal government to setup such desks at airports and railway stations.
As of October, the Ebola death rate has gone up to 70 per cent according to the World Health Organisation.
“What we’re finding is 70% mortality,” said Bruce Aylward, assistant director-general of the WHO.
i heard Health Minister of Punjab on Dunya News who said that it is NOT confirmed YET if the guy has indeed been struck with the Ebola virus.
if it is confirmed then they have to deal with it aggressively. they should setup quarantine at ALL major international airports which has NOT been done so far.
the government HAS to be very SERIOUS in stopping it's deadly spread.
Possible carrier of Ebola virus passes away in Faisalabad Last Updated On 25 November,2014 About 21 minutes ago
Zulfiqar was admitted to the Allied Hospital following a potential exposure to the virus.
FAISALABAD (Dunya News) – Zulfiqar, who was admitted to the Allied Hospital on Monday following a potential exposure to Ebola virus, died on Tuesday.
A 40-year-old resident of Chiniot, Zulfiqar was admitted to the Allied Hospital on suspicion of presence of Ebola virus in his blood.
According to details, Zulfiqar returned from Africa few days ago and he bleeds from his nose and mouth. He was admitted to the Allied Hospital on Monday.
Zulfiqar’s blood sample was sent to National Institute of Health (NIH) Islamabad for Ebola tests.
Re: First suspected Ebola case in Pakistan..- died - UPDATED
Yes he'd just come from west Africa:
According to details, Zulfiqar returned from Africa few days ago and he bleeds from his nose and mouth.
Damn, then sadly it may seem like it. It would be a cluster-shi! storm for Pak government to establish quarantine. God knows what will happen. But I am still hoping they misdiagnosed him just for the sake of everyone living there
Re: First suspected Ebola case in Pakistan..- died - UPDATED
i just heard on Dunya News that they have released the dead body to the relatives and it’s on it’s way to Chiniot from Islamabad.
since Ebola is extremely contagious, how come they have released the body to the relative and that too allow them to transport to another city? isn’t is highly dangerous and risks of spreading the virus? strange!
Re: First suspected Ebola case in Pakistan..- died - UPDATED
Uh yeah… Not good. A case in Pakistan is bound to cause an epidemic locally because basic sanitation and all will not happen. The doctors should be more aware. why am I not surprised? And naturally government and health department will be slow on this one.
Re: First suspected Ebola case in Pakistan..- died - UPDATED
Ebola is not as contagious as you are thinking, it usually transmits via body fluids like Blood, sweat, feces, vomit, semen and spit not through air so it should be safe.
Re: First suspected Ebola case in Pakistan..- died - UPDATED
^ WHO has been warning Pakistan for sometimes now and i've heard several government health officers and even ministers assuring public that they are well prepared for the arrival of Ebola if ever does...well, they did NOT setup any quarantine cells at any major international airports, they aren't aware of protocols of how to handle Ebola cases and they haven't done anything to stop the virus from spreading. by allowing the dead body to be transported to another city is a proof of that.
i'm dreaded to even think of Ebola becoming epidemic and being transferred to neighboring countries.
Re: First suspected Ebola case in Pakistan..- died - UPDATED
Ebola is not as contagious as you are thinking, it usually transmits via body fluids like Blood, sweat, feces, vomit, semen and spit not through air so it should be safe.
well, those who handle the dead body, those who will give Ghusl to the body and all those involved in burial will come in contact with the dead man's body fluids unless they wear airtight HAZMAT suits. this CAN cause an epidemic which will indeed be a nightmare.
Re: First suspected Ebola case in Pakistan..- died - UPDATED
Whoever handled the dead body is at risk. Doubt whatever hospital/clinic he landed at was equipped to deal with him either. Pray it was just a nosebleed because of dryness, and he died for other reasons.
Re: First suspected Ebola case in Pakistan..- died - UPDATED
TV is quiet...no special programs...no tickers...they have tickers for a stolen prayer rug from Masjid but no ticker for this dreaded virus...no instructions for people from any health organization.
why am I not surprised? And naturally government and health department will be slow on this one.