CM orders to contain Congo outbreak

Governor directs awareness campaigns, preventive measures, and coordination to curb virus spread

KARACHI:

Sindh Chief Minister Justice (retd) Maqbool Baqar, in the wake of outbreak of Congo virus in Balochistan, has directed the Sindh health and livestock departments to take precautionary measures in the bordering districts.

Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a widespread disease caused by a tick-borne virus (Nairovirus) of the Bunyaviridae family. The ticks infect livestock and then the disease is transmitted to people. Bawar said that reports of Congo virus outbreak in Balochistan hasraised concerns for the districts including Dadu, Shahdadkot, Kashmore, and Jacobabad being in close proximity to Balochistan, face potential risks due to frequent cross-border movements.

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Baqar said that the main transmission routes of the Congo virus include ticks from livestock and close contact with infected animals and humans. He directed the provincial health and livestock departments to intensify surveillance, particularly in the districts and tehsils close to Balochistan.

The CM also directed the administrations of both the departments to launch public awareness campaigns about preventive measures, including the use of insect repellents and protective clothing, besides monitoring of livestock markets, especially in border areas. Baqar insisted on close coordination between the health, livestock and other concerned departments of both the provinces to prevent the spread of the virus.

The CM said that the hospitals should be equipped with necessary diagnostic tools and treatment arrangements for the Congo virus-affected patients.