Eid precautions: ‘Wear plastic gloves while handling meat’

Doctors advise against excessive eating, spicy and oily food; recommend cooking meat thoroughly.

LAHORE:

Precautionary measures should be adopted while handling the blood and organs of sacrificed animal to avoid viral diseases, especially the congo virus that could lead to congo haemorrhagic fever, doctors said.

Talking to The Express Tribune, General Cadre Doctors Association and Pakistan Medical Society President Dr Masood Shaikh said there hadn’t any cases of congo virus in recent weeks but advised people to be careful while dealing with offals and blood of the animals.

“To avoid this virus, one should not have any cut or bruise on one’s hand while slaughtering the animal. The animal’s blood should not come in contact with such cuts. It’s better to wear plastic gloves handling the meat. If the blood comes in contact with a cut or a bruise, one should wash it immediately. Women should also wear plastic gloves while handling the meat. Once the meat is cooked, this virus is killed,” Dr Shaikh said.

He also advised against excessive eating of red meat, salt and chilies, which he said, could increase stomach acidity. It can be dangerous for those having problems of regurgitation, ulcer, diabetes, hypertension, liver, renal and cardiac problems and hepatitis. He said the use of cola drinks with spicy food could do more harm.

Dr Sheikh said that not more than 200 to 250 grams of red meat was needed by the body for a whole day. He said excessive intake of meat increased uric acid, leading to gouty arthritis, and put burden on kidneys. People with kidney problems or those with hepatitis should take special precautions. He said red meat fats should not be used as oil or ghee as that could lead to hypertension and heart diseases.

“One should be careful while barbecuing the meat as an excessive burning of meat can produce chemicals that can be dangerous,” he added.

Prof of Surgery Dr Latif Aftab said both mutton and beef were A-class protein providers and high in nutritional value. He said after slaughtering, meat should be kept at a cool place before freezing.

He said the meat should be properly cooked as half-baked meat could cause infections. He advised consuming red meat with vegetables and yogurt.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 27^th, 2012.