The Congo virus menace

With Eidul Azha just a few weeks away, the public is looking to purchase cattle for the annual sacrificial rituals. The prominence of cattle markets and roadside sellers in the country has risen, attracting a significant number of buyers. It seems the impending disaster that the Crimean Congo Hemorrhagic Fever could bring is deliberately being ignored by sellers, livestock departments, provincial governments, and even buyers. In fairness, Sindh and Balochistan have made some moves to prevent the spread of the disease. Balochistan’s livestock department plans to spray anti-tick chemical on animals — humanely, we hope — and Sindh’s Livestock and Animal Husbandry Department has stationed a team of veterinarians at some cattle markets. K-P has also launched a preventive campaign in Hazara.

Nonetheless, the slow speed at which these plans are being implemented and their lack of specificity indicate a weak will. First-hand reports from cattle sellers do not sound promising as many are not even aware of the disease nor are vaccination certificates being required of them, despite the sellers and cattle handlers being directly susceptible to contracting the disease. The threat from the Congo virus is real and the citizenry needs to take on a proactive role to protect itself. At least 12 people have succumbed to the virus so far in Balochistan, five have died in Sindh and two in Punjab, and more deaths cannot be ruled out. The provincial health and livestock departments need to be more proactive in combating the disease. In this regard, it is advisable if all provincial governments begin a coordinated countrywide campaign to vaccinate all animals. Hundreds of thousands of cattle traders and buyers are currently vulnerable. With a sluggish government response so far and not even a hint of stalling cattle sales until all animals are vaccinated, citizens are on their own and must take the requisite precautions.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 25^th, 2016.

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