Health Services Director General Zahid Pervaiz urged people on Friday to handle sacrificial animals with caution to prevent the spread of Congo virus.
He said the Congo virus or the Crimean Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) was a potentially fatal tick-borne infection. Pervaiz said it was spread by ticks that had been exposed to an infected animal. He said consuming or preparing the meat of an infected animal was harmless.
Pervaiz said the number of CCHF cases was expected to increase around Eid. The director said it was necessary to create public awareness regarding this to protect the people and that the spread of the virus could be checked by adopting some simple measures.
He said people should wear full-sleeved shirts and shoes with socks when purchasing or tending to animals. Pervaiz said they should apply insect repellent lotion on the exposed areas of their bodies. He advised them to shower and change their clothes on returning from livestock markets. Pervaiz said they should wash their hands and face regularly while sacrificing animals. He said blood should be washed away with soap and water as soon as possible. Pervaiz said commercially rectified spirit should be subsequently applied.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 4th, 2014.
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