January 10, 2006	Tuesday	Zilhaj 9, 1426

KARACHI, Jan 9: People should remain extremely cautious while purchasing sacrificial animals owing to the outbreak of viral infections among cattle, as there are chances of their spread among humans too.

This was stated by Dr Shaheen Shoaib of the DUHS here on Monday.

She said that animals once procured were kept within the four walls of any home, with people of all age groups.

In such a scenario, animals with ticks on their bodies or even slight abscess-like marks on skin, particularly on foot or around mouth could be extremely dangerous; Dr Shaheen warned and said that these may lead to possible chances of foot and mouth disease in the animals themselves.

She stressed that the city administration must take upon itself to see that cattle traders reaching the city be made to procure necessary documents from health department, that the cattle were properly examined and found free of diseases/infection.—APP