Precautionary measures must to avoid threat on and before Eidul Azha

Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever

Rawalpindi: Health experts stress on the need of creating awareness among public about necessary precautionary measures to avoid incidence of deadly Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) while handling sacrificial animals on and before the festive occasion of Eidul Azha as the tick-borne viral disease kills well over 30 per cent of the infected individuals.

After a number of confirmed cases of CCHF during the past few weeks, the population all across the country including this region is facing a threat of further spread of CCHF and it is time for all the stakeholders to take the matter seriously.

As the outbreak is ongoing, the provincial and municipal administrations along with cantonment board authorities in the country must remain on high alert while special measures should be taken for proper screening of all sacrificial animals being taken to markets for sale from far flung areas of the country.

Those who deal with livestock should wear full sleeved light coloured clothes so ticks can be spotted easily. They should also wear shoes with socks, trousers tucked in socks and keep legs covered and use repellent (DEET) on their skin and clothes. Inspection and veterinary support should also be available in animal markets.

Head of Community Medicine at CMH Lahore Medical College Professor Dr Muhammad Ashraf Chaudhry expressed this while talking to ‘The News’ on how to avoid incidence of CCHF.He, however, added it is unfortunate that despite the looming threat of Congo virus, the authorities manning the livestock markets are yet to adopt proper mechanism for inspection of animals and treatment required.

He said in areas including Bahawalpur from where a good number of cases has originated, the provincial and federal government officials should pay special attention to prevention and control of CCHF and momentum should be kept until Eid so that further deaths can be prevented.

It is worth mention here that at least two patients have died of the infection in the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi in the past three weeks.

To a query, Dr. Ashraf said preventive measures while handling live stock. “Public should be educated about mode of transmission through tick bites, handling ticks, and handling and butchering animals and the means of personal protection.”

Avoid handling animal hide with bare hands and do not remove tick from animal’s body with bare hands instead use tweezers, he said.He added that at the time of purchase of sacrificial animals, public should make sure that they carry no ticks. For checking of animals, always wear gloves, light colored clothes, long boots with socks and a cap to cover the head and apply DEET lotion on your hands. Take a shower and change your clothes as soon as you return home, he said.

He said children should be prohibited from playing with animals. At the time of sacrifice, keep children and yourself away from animal. If your hands are blood stained, do not rub your eyes or nose. Try to keep your hands clean by washing frequently with soap and water. People should reduce tick infestation on cows, sheep and goats. Acaricides may be useful on domestic animals if used 10-14 days prior to the slaughter or to the export of animals, said Dr. Ashraf.

To a query, Dr. Ashraf said in the wake of Eidul Azha, insecticidal sprays at the cattle markets should be arranged. There should also inter-provincial coordination, as live stock traders move across provinces in search of better markets. “Animal dipping in insecticidal solution at least two weeks before slaughtering is recommended.”

Moreover, livestock markets should be limited to designated areas and municipal and cantonment authorities must remove illegal cattle markets that spring up inside cities and towns in the run-up to Eidul Azha, he said.

He suggested that district administration of every city should arrange stalls of double gloves and anti-tick chemical spray on wholesale market rate in the cattle markets and sale points for the convenience of sacrificial animal buyers and sellers.

He said to avoid CCHF and other diseases, after sacrificing animal, its blood and offal should be properly disposed of and buried under the ground. “Butchers before going home should change their blood contaminated clothes and wash their hands with soap and water”.

He added that family of a CCHF case should be advised to practice standard and contact precautions while caring the patient. “In case of death, safe burial practices must be exercised.”

Exposed health care workers, family and contacts and those with high risk exposures because of needle stick, sharps, blood or body fluid contact should be monitored for fever for 14 days, said Dr. Ashraf. Once fever develops, patient should be immediately shifted to the hospital and managed in isolation room, he said.He added that one should remember that an infected animal may appear healthy and that eating or preparing meat from an infected animal is safe.