Precautionary measures: Health officials prepare to tackle Congo virus

Authorities fear a possible pandemic ahead of Eidul Azha.

KARACHI: The Sindh health department has issued guidelines to all district health officials to expedite preparations to tackle the spread of the Congo virus ahead of Eidul-Azha.

In a letter issued on Monday, the department has directed the officials to take appropriate measures as cattle markets are being set up at various sites across the province. The letter stated that there is potential threat that the slaughter of animals may promote the spread of the ‘tick’ [hyalma] containing the virus. “The Congo fever is highly contagious with a high fertility rate. We must be prepared to tackle the extremely fatal disease,” the letter further mentioned.



The district health officials have also been directed to keep an eye on the cattle markets, suspected patients and animals in coordination with the stakeholders, including deputy commissioners, livestock department, information department and the local electronic and print media. They will report probable, suspected and confirmed cases of the Crimean Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) to the focal person of the Sindh Dengue Surveillance Cell on a regular basis.

The officials will also conduct health education sessions, seminars and disseminate awareness materials regarding the CCHF among vulnerable groups, including butchers, cattle handlers and traders and the general public. They have been directed to establish isolation wards for admission of the confirmed CCFH cases and adopt prescribed procedures for transportation of samples from the suspected cases of the CCFH as per guidelines.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 24^th, 2013.