Health concerns at cattle markets

People fear Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever spreading

RAWALPINDI: Despite tall claims, the livestock department and district administration have failed to ensure fumigation and inoculation of all of the cattle coming to the 12 cattle markets set up in Rawalpindi ahead of Eidul Azha. The oversight in anti-tick spray has exacerbated fears of spreading Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever or simply congo-fever a fatal tick-borne disease. People working in the cattle markets said that so far no vet has been appointed in any of the markets to check tick infestation in sacrificial animals. The arrival of sacrificial animals is increasing by the day as the eid nears, traders told The Express Tribune. Each day truckloads of cattle are coming from Balochistan, southern Punjab and Kashmir, they said adding sales will reach peak by next Sunday.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 3^rd, 2019.