Health Department to launch an awareness campaign regarding Congo fever

Lahore: Health Department to launch an awareness campaign regarding preventive measures against Crimean–Congohemorrhagic fever for cattle farmers, dealers of animals, butchers and medical staff of the hospitals involved in the treatment Congo fever patients.

While in a meeting to review the arrangements for prevention and control of possible occurrence of Congo virus . The meeting was informed that Congo fever produced due to bite of tics of goats, sheep and cattle to the human. It was further informed that Congo is hemorrhagic fever and a fatal disease.

The meeting was informed that during current year, total 13 cases of Congo fever reported from Mianwali, Chakwal, Rawalpindi, Jhang and Multan. The officers of Livestock & Dairy Development Department briefed that the ticks existed on the skin of the animals and mostly found in the grazing land and animals farms. He informed that due to the transportation of animals at mass level on the occasion of Eid-ul-Azha, there are chances of occurrence of Congo fever, therefore adoption of preventive measures and proper awareness is essential for the people who handle these animals.

Dr. Islam Zafar informed that the symptoms of Congo fever is somehow similar to dengue as the Congo fever is also a hemorrhagic fever, however, dengue is not transfer from man to man whereas Congo virus is transmittable from human to human.

Khawaja Salman Rafiq directed that seminars must be organized especially in the affected districts with the help of DCOs for the awareness of butchers, dealers of animals and goat farmers. He also directed that special training should be arranged for the doctors, nurses and paramedics for the treatment of Congo patients. He said that provision of protection kits to the doctors must be ensured.

Director General Health Dr. Zahid Pervaiz, Addl. Secretary (Tech) Dr. Salman Shahid, Dean IPH Prof. Moaz Ahmad, Chief Bacteriologist Punjab Dr. Zarfishan Tahir, Dr. Jamshed of WHO, Director Health CDC Dr. Ahmad Afifi, Addl. Director General Epidemic Emergency & Response Dr. Islam Zafar and senior officers of Livestock & Dairy Development also attended the meeting.