Justicia Shipena
A patient has died in Windhoek after contracting crimean-congo hemorrhagic fever, commonly known as congo fever.
The patient was admitted to a Windhoek health facility on 18 November with suspected congo fever and died the next day.
Laboratory tests later confirmed the infection, health minister Dr Esperance Luvindao said on Sunday.
This led to the Health Ministry declaring an outbreak in the Khomas region.
“We wish to assure the public that we are taking all necessary steps to contain the spread of the virus and urge the community not to panic,” Luvindao said.
She said the ministry has activated emergency response measures, including contact tracing, surveillance and community-level interventions.
Congo fever is spread mainly through bites from infected ticks. It can also be transmitted through contact with infected animal blood or tissues during slaughtering and through exposure to the bodily fluids of infected people.
Symptoms appear suddenly and may include fever, muscle pain, dizziness, stiff neck, headache, sore eyes, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and abdominal pain.
Some patients develop severe bleeding. There is no vaccine, and treatment focuses on early supportive care and fluid management.
The ministry urged the public to take precautions, such as wearing protective clothing in bushy or grassy areas; checking for ticks after outdoor activities; handling livestock safely; and practicing strict hygiene when caring for sick individuals.
Luvindao called on anyone experiencing symptoms, especially those exposed to animals or tick bites, to seek medical attention immediately.
The ministry said it will continue to update the public as the situation develops.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), congo fever outbreaks can have a case fatality rate of up to 40%.
Congo fever is endemic in Africa, the Balkans, the Middle East and parts of Asia.
Outbreaks have been recorded in countries such as Uganda, Senegal, South Africa and Mauritania.
