Punjab

Plan afoot to prevent Congo virus spread

Livestock officials spring into action after cases emerge in Balochistan

Imran Asghar November 18, 2023

Animals at the cattle market are vulnerable to Congo virus but people are either unaware or uncaring of the problem. Precautions must be taken to prevent buyers from getting infected with the disease. PHOTO: ATHAR KHAN/EXPRESS

RAWALPINDI:

The Livestock and Dairy Development Department in Rawalpindi has devised a plan to avert potential Congo virus attacks.

Over 20 checkposts have been established at entry and exit points in the four districts of the Rawalpindi region to ensure the vaccination of millions of animals during transportation.

Officials revealed that considering the prevalence of the Congo virus in Balochistan, the Punjab government has crafted a detailed strategy to hinder the transmission of the disease through livestock. As part of this plan, the livestock department has erected check posts at crucial points, scrutinising animals transported from other districts. Sick and tick-infected cattle are being isolated and treated separately.

Mobile teams, bolstered by expert veterinary doctors, have been deployed in cattle markets across the four districts of the Rawalpindi region, including Attock, Jhelum, Chakwal, and Rawalpindi. Dr. Naveeda Sehar Zaidi, Deputy Director of the Livestock Department in Rawalpindi, informed The Express Tribune that the Congo virus is transmitted by a specific tick that bites cattle producing milk and meat, posing a threat to humans.

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“To prevent the virus's spread, an awareness campaign is being run by the Punjab government, coupled with measures to isolate and treat tick-infected animals.”

Additional livestock department officials have been assigned to all slaughterhouses in Rawalpindi, with efforts underway to disseminate essential information to cattle farmers in the region regarding Congo virus prevention, he said.

Inspection teams from the department are conducting thorough examinations of buffalo, bull, and goat farms, spraying enclosures to eliminate ticks.

Dr Naveed Sehar Zaidi emphasised that citizens should carefully inspect animals purchased from markets and adhere to livestock department instructions. The department is offering free services for tick inspections in animals, reassuring citizens that with precautions and compliance with instructions, the virus can be controlled without causing panic.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 18^th, 2023.