Measures against Congo virus giving results in KP

No death in 50 reported cases; 32 patients brought from Afghanistan

PESHAWAR: The authorities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa intensified efforts to prevent causalities from Congo virus as 50 cases of virus infection have so far been reported in the province amid fears of increased chances of infection due to the movement of animals before Eidul Azha.

A document shared by Director General, Livestock and Dairy Development Department (L&DD), Dr Sher Muhammad Khan, indicates that 50 cases have so far been reported out of which 18 cases were confirmed by National Institute of Health, (NIH) Islamabad.

It also indicates that most of these cases reported in the province belonged to the neighbouring Afghanistan as 32 of the 50 Congo virus-infected patients were brought into the province from Afghanistan.

The document also shows that no death from the deadly virus has been reported in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and all the 50 infected people have been discharged from the hospitals after necessary treatment.

The Congo virus causes severe viral hemorrhagic fever outbreaks, with a case fatality rate of 10-40 percent and there is no vaccine available for either people or animals against the virus.

The hosts of the Congo virus include a wide-range of wild and domestic animals such as cattle, sheep and goats; birds are resistant to infection, but ostriches are susceptible.

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

The document further indicates that majority of cases have occurred in people involved in the livestock industry, slaughterhouse workers and veterinarians.In the humans, incubation period is usually one to 13 days. Onset of symptoms is sudden, with fever, muscle ache, dizziness, neck pain and stiffness, backache, headache, sore eyes and photophobia (sensitivity to light), hepatitis, hemorrhages under the skin and internal mucosa like in the mouth and throat. Death may occur in the second week of illness, the papers show.

The official said that his department has carried out extensive spraying to prevent the spread of disease to human population. The department, he said, in its spraying campaign has targetted nomads carrying livestock in the mountainous regions, livestock markets, slaughter houses and animals imported from other provinces.

Dr Sher added that 15,071 awareness meetings with stakeholders have been held for effective eradication of ticks from vulnerable and effected districts. The mobile teams carried out spraying in remote areas. The DG L&DD informed that 143 check posts had been established, 28 mobile veterinary clinics deputed, 3,50,374 animals and 22,120 animal premises and vehicles had been sprayed.