KMC issues health advisory for Congo virus ahead of Eid-ul-Azha

KARACHI: Beware! Thinking of going to the mandi (cattle market) to buy sacrificial animals ahead of Eid-ul-Azha? You could be putting yourself at risk of contracting the deadly Congo virus, which has claimed at least 35 patients in the country this year.

The Karachi Metropolitan Corporation’s Medical and Health Services Department has issued a health advisory for prevention of the disease ahead of the Eid season.

According to the Senior Director of Medical and Health Services Dr Muhammad Ali Abbas, there is a serious need for proper medical check and inspection of animals before they are brought to the cattle markets in Karachi.

"There should be proper sanitation at the site of animal markets by concerned departments mainly livestock and veterinary. Public use insect repellents should be encouraged to save animals and ourselves from ticks", through which the disease is known to spread, he said.

"People who are going to visit cattle markets should, wear light colors, cover their hands and faces, and check their skin and clothing carefully for ticks," he cautioned.

In the advisory, the public are cautioned to keep the following in mind:

-          Maintain as little contact with animals as possible.

-          Wear gloves while inspecting the animals. Cover your face and body when near the animals.

-          Beware of ticks. Use insect repellants to keep them at bay. Don’t touch ticks with bare hands as its infected blood could cause the virus.

-          Wear gloves while slaughtering the animals.

-          Wash hands thoroughly after coming in contact with animals and/or their blood.

-          Keep animals in well-ventilated sites.

-          Ensure that animals are inspected in places well away from populated city areas and by qualified veterinary doctors.

-          Maintain proper sanitation where you keep the animals. Dispose of the animals’ remnants safely.

-          Carry out fumigation in animal-keeping sites before, during and after Eid.

-          Cover stored water.

According to the advisory, serious outbreaks of the Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) virus have been reported in the past at hospitals treating CCHF patients. Hospital staff is therefore advised to take adequate precautions and observe adequate infection-control procedures.  Contaminated needles and equipment should be disposed of safely.

At least 35 cases of the Congo virus have been reported in the country this year. Six patients who contracted the Congo virus died during treatment, the National Institute of Health reported. At least 16 cases of the virus were reported at the NIH.

Symptoms of the virus include high fever and bleeding from the nose and ears.