CCHF threat ahead of Eidul Azha

Rawalpindi: The appearance of confirmed cases of deadly infection, Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever, from various parts of the country including Rawalpindi division few days before the festive occasion of Eidul Azha has put population at significant risk of facing a possible outbreak of the disease.

The patient who was taken to Holy Family Hospital on August 14 from Tehsil Hazro of District Attock and tested positive for CCHF on August 19 has been discharged after achieving complete cure however, the appearance of case has strengthened doubts regarding a possible spike of the infection.

Health experts, however, believe that to avoid incidence of the deadly infection CCHF, it is a must for individuals to take necessary preventive measures while handling sacrificial animals on and before the festive occasion of Eidul Azha.

They say that people must be aware of the fact that the tick-borne viral disease kills 30-40 per cent of the infected individuals in countries like Pakistan.

It is important that a huge number of cattle, sacrificial animals, is being brought to town from far flung areas of the country ahead of Eidul Azha and a big chunk of them might not be brought here after proper handling and examination that increases the risk of incidence of CCHF.

According to district health department, the most important thing is to create awareness among public on measures needed to avoid the infection.

Studies reveal that the CCHF is caused by Nairovirus of the Bunyaviridae family transmitted to humans by the bite of Hyalomma tick that is mostly found on the skin of animals both wild and domestic such as cattle, sheep and goats.

The CCHF is also caused by direct contact with the blood of an infected animal or human. Exposure to blood or tissue of the infected animal during or post slaughtering and direct contact with blood or secretions of infected person may also cause transmission.

The case fatality rate of the deadly infection ranges from two percent to 50 per cent. The CCHF was first described in Crimea in 1944 and identified in 1956 in Congo and hence it is named as Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever.

We are working on awareness among public on how to avoid CCHF, said Executive District Officer (Health) Dr. Fayyaz Ahmed Butt when contacted by ‘The News’ on Saturday.

He said the most important precautionary measure is to convince people that they must ensure examination of animals from a qualified veterinary doctor in case of any type of ticks on their skin so that transmission of CCHF to human beings can be avoided, he said.

He added people should not touch an animal with bare hands particularly if it has ticks on its skin.

Experts say that people should not buy unhealthy sacrificial animals and should handle sacrificial animals properly and keep skins of the animals free from any type of ticks.

It is worth mentioning here that for the last many years, significant number of cases of the deadly infection is reported in scattered areas of the country mainly because of improper handling of sacrificial animals that have ticks on their skin. On average, well over 40 cases of the infection are reported every year in the country.

Health experts suggest that a person must visit the nearest hospital immediately after developing any of the signs and symptoms of the infection. Onset of symptoms is fever, muscle ache, dizziness, neck pain and stiffness, backache, headache, sore eyes and sensitivity to light. There may be nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain and sore throat early on, followed by sharp mood swings and confusion. Other signs include a faster heart rate, a rash, enlarged lymph nodes and liver and kidney failure. Studies reveal that more than one third of the infected persons die within the second week of illness.