ISLAMABAD: The National Institute of Health (NIH) on Friday issued an advisory to sensitise citizens and healthcare authorities about the Crimean Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) before Eidul Azha.

According to the advisory, CCHF or Congo fever, is caused by a tick-borne virus with a fatality rate of 10 to 40pc. The virus is transmitted from animals to humans.

Numerous wild and domestic animals such as cattle, buffaloes, goats and sheep are carriers of the virus and adult ticks feed on these animals.

Of the 101 confirmed CCHF patients last year, 33 had died and 41 patients have been diagnosed with the virus in 2017 so far of which 16 are from Balochistan, 15 from Punjab, seven from KP and three from Fata. The latest fatal case was reported from Khyber Agency on Aug 16.

NIH stresses the need for creating awareness to prevent infection

The CCHF virus is transmitted to people either by tick bites or through contact with an infected animal’s blood or tissue during and immediately after slaughter.

The advisory warned that public health workers, animal herders, veterinarians, livestock workers, animal merchants, butchers and slaughterhouse workers are at risk of contracting the disease. Those caring for patients are also at the risk of getting infected.

Precautionary measures

A large number of animals are brought into the twin cities due to Eidul Azha and residents will be visiting cattle markets to purchase animals, which increases chances of infections.

The advisory says there is currently no vaccine available for humans and the only way to reduce infection was by raising awareness.

“Wear light clothing during visit to the animal markets to allow easy detection of ticks on the clothes and regularly examine clothing and skin for the ticks. If found, remove them safely and use approved repellents on clothing and skin. Don’t crush the ticks, wear gloves and other protective clothing while handling animals or their tissues, notably during slaughtering and culling procedures in slaughterhouses or at home,” it added.

Those caring for patients have been advised to wear gloves and use other protective equipment, wash their hands frequently after visiting with patients and that insect repellents are the most effective way for warding off ticks.

Media Coordinator at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) Dr Waseem Khawaja told Dawn that CCHF was first identified in Crimea in 1944 and the first human case was diagnosed in 1976.

“It is not a new disease and if an animal looks healthy, people can buy it without any hesitation. Goats have smooth skin so they have less chances of having ticks. People should wash goats with shampoo or a detergent before bringing it to their houses,” he said.

Meanwhile in Rawalpindi, the district administration is yet to make arrangements for checking if the animals have CCHF.

Talking to Dawn, a senior official of the health department said a mechanism should be developed for checking animals before they enter the district. He said animals should be given vaccinations 15 days before they are slaughters as ticks reside in animal skin and that if proper measures were not taken, the virus can spread in the region.

Last month, health experts and the Punjab agriculture department had warned district administration to make proper arrangements for avoiding the spread of the disease and to vaccinate animals outside the city.

However, officials of the Livestock Department said the department was taking steps for avoiding the spread of the virus and that animals were being vaccinated and being kept outside the district in the meanwhile.

Meanwhile, an official of the district administration said seven cattle markets will be established in the district but no check points have been established at entry points to see if the animals being brought in are healthy. He said the selling of animals on roads and streets was banned last year.

The Rawalpindi Cantonment Board will be establishing three cattle markets in the cantonment and has imposed a ban on the selling of animals in the Cantt streets.

Many animals have been brought to Raja Bazaar, Banni Chowk, Saidpur Road, Pirwadhai and other areas.

Published in Dawn, August 19th, 2017