Extra Measures Needed To Safe From Congo Virus On Eid-ul-Azha

ISLAMABAD,(UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 5th Augst,2016) : Health experts on Friday urged the people to adopt extra precautionary measures during their visit to the cattle markets or slaughtering the sacrificial animals on the occasion of Eid-ul-Azha. Talking to Private news channel, health expert professor Dr. Gulzar Malik, warned that if preventive measures were not put in place, Congo fever could become a grave concern with the arrival of sacrificial animals into urban centres for Eidul Adha. He stressed that "antiseptic spray is a must before the sacrifice otherwise it could spread Congo virus." Sacrificial animals being brought to the cities from different areas of country could cause spreading Congo virus, therefore theirs traders, buyers, butchers, and those people coming in their close contact should adopt precautionary measures to avoid the disease, he added. Dr Gulzar said cows, bulls, goats and other sacrificial animals coming from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan have more chances of carrying ticks on them. In order to avoid the outbreak of Congo fever, there was a dire need to create awareness among people visiting animal markets, said Dr. Sikandar Sherwani from the Federal urdu University of Arts, Sciences and Technology said while purchasing a sacrificial animal, it is not difficult for a common man to diagnose whether it is infected, as majority of the ticks are easily visible. Besides this, the animal should not look dull or have red eyes, or suffer from flu or coughing, he said.

The animals should also be vaccinated with an injection called Ivermectin, the doctor said.

He also stressed the need to create awareness among people who handle the leftovers of the animals, particularly the hide. This virus can transfer to human being from animals and the affected people can die if not provided treatment immediately.

The medical staff also needs to adopt serious precaution while treating such patients, he mentioned. The doctor said that Congo fever has similar symptoms as of dengue fever and the only different is that the Congo virus is caused by tics and dengue by mosquitoes.

Federal Urdu University of Arts, Sciences and Technology and Dr Ghulam Fatima advised the parents to properly check the sacrificial animals before allowing children to go near and play with them." The bugs are usually hidden inside and backside of the ears, in the lower part of neck and legs, Dr Fatima said.

She added that meat should be properly cooked to kill the virus if present in it, she said. She added wearing gloves is also a must to stay safe from cuts while slaughtering the animals. Health departments and hospitals should create awareness among its employees, particularly the health care providers to know the importance of barrier nursing and bio safety protocols, she conclude.