District govt establishes cattle markets at Rawat, Channi, Adiala and Chakri
Rawalpindi
Majority of citizens is least interested in buying sacrificial animals due to fear of ‘Congo Virus’ and are hoping that sellers will sell animals on low prices this year as compared to last year.
On the other hand, city district government, Rawalpindi has directed establishment cattle markets outside the city areas to avoid any serious problems. All cattle markets will be established in Potohar Town jurisdiction. The cattle markets will be established at Rawat, Channi, Adiala and Chakri.
Town Municipal Officer (TMO) Potohar Town Sardar Tashfeen said that they will provide all facilities of buyers and sellers in the cattle markets. “There will be five to six veterinary doctors in every cattle market to check animals for any signs of Congo virus in sacrificial animals,” he claimed. He also advised people to cover their faces before coming in cattle markets to avoid any kind of problem. They should cover their hands as well in cattle markets, he advised.
“The government seems to be least interested in tackling the deadly Crimean Congo Hemorrhagic Fever, or Congo virus, by making vaccinations compulsory before the arrival of sacrificial animals in cattle markets,” Mehmood Akhtar a resident of Mohanpura said. He said that majority of people wanted to slaughter animals on Eidul Azha but they are fearing to buying them due to ‘Congo Virus’ in animals.
The deadly disease has claimed several lives in the last month, including a doctor from Bahawalpur. So far, there is no policy requiring the animals to be vaccinated before being granted entry into the markets.
The transportation of animals from various districts of Sindh, Punjab and Balochistan has been started. Around 60,000 animals have already reached the markets of Punjab province including Rawalpindi and 250,000 large and 90,000 small sacrificial animals are expected to arrive within the next couple of days. It is worth mentioning here that cattle owners and traders are unaware about their vulnerability to the disease and the threat posed to them and the population at large during Eidul Azha.
Haji Khuda Bukhash, a big dealer of animals said that they are upset regarding to news of ‘Congo Virus’ in animals. It has strongly affected our sale as majority of buyers are in the state of fear, he said. Public usually start buying sacrificial animals a month before of Eid every year but this year we are empty handed yet due to ‘Congo Virus’ in animals, he said. He said that they invest millions of rupees in animals but they have fears that they could suffer huge losses this year.
“Apparently, the Congo virus threat has emerged from animals coming from Afghanistan. So, there is a need for inspection and treatment at provincial entry points being used by a majority of transporters to bring animals,” he said.
The Punjab government has adopted this strategy and is actively pursuing it following the deaths from CCHF in the province. “The same strategy is needed to be adopted in other provinces.”
Muhammad Riaz, a senior Veterinary Doctor said a medicine was available in the market for treating external and internal parasites. The same medicine was also being used for cattle management in the Gulf countries. “However, such treated animals should be slaughtered after at least eight days. Before that period, the meat may contain some residual effect of the medicine,” he explained, suggesting that if this medicine was injected into animals, its use should be discontinued 10 days before Eid.
Rana Liaquat Hussain, another dealer of animals said the government has not provided them with vaccines but even if it had, they would not trust them or their medicine. “We inject medicine at our own expense which costs us Rs5000 to Rs7000 for 20 cattle,” he added.
Shahbaz Ahmed, a common citizen said that government should take this matter seriously because ‘Congo Virus’ is dangerous not only for animals but also for humans.
