Congo fever: Better protective measures urged

Lecture on the virus held at Polyclinic Hospital.

ISLAMABAD: A health expert Thursday said a close check should be kept on sacrificial animals brought to cities, as some of them might be carrying the Congo virus, posing a health hazard. They were speaking at a lecture on Congo Fever organised by the Epidemic Management Cell of Polyclinic Hospital.

Dr Ismaa Kiani at Polyclinic Hospital delivered the lecture.

She urged the city administration to take the required steps to keep in check the fever’s spread as the public was most susceptible to it during Eidul Azha.

One of the solutions she suggested to protect against the virus is to distribute gloves at the local cattle market for customers.

Also any animal that seems to be infected should be immediately removed from the market and if it dies due to this, its body should be properly disposed off.

Prevalence in Pakistan

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) 26 cases of CCHF including three deaths were reported in Pakistan in 2010. It mostly occurs in the months of October and November and also around Eidul Azha, which can be attributed to the tick density with the increase in viral load due to frenzied movement of animals in these months. Furthermore it is difficult to ascertain the number of CCHF patients as number of patients is higher than the reported figures since the disease usually occurs in remote areas.

Transmission

Referring to its mode of transition, Kiani said humans acquire the infection through tick bites primarily, or by close contact with meat or blood from the slaughtered animals carrying the virus. Human-to-human transmission is also documented, mostly through in-house infection.

Symptoms and treatment

Its’ common symptoms include fever, joint pain, orbital pain, backache and headache. The doctor said shepherds, butchers; workers in slaughter houses, veterinarians, abattoirs and health professionals are at a greater risk. No specific therapies have been confirmed to be effective for the treatment of CCHF patients, she said.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 5^th,  2011.