Of lurking threat of Congo virus in cattle markets

PESHAWAR: The chances of Congo virus infection has increased in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa ahead of Eidul Azha as nine deaths have already been reported due to the deadly virus in the province this year.
A document of the provincial Livestock Department shared with The News said the death of nine persons due to Crimean Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF), commonly known as Congo virus, in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa during 2015 indicated the presence of the virus in the province.
The CCHF is a Hyalomma tick-borne viral disease of humans, animals, ostriches and other birds. The tick is the most important carrier of the virus. The Congo fever virus causes no apparent illness in animals except for mild fever as a result of the virus circulating in the animals for a very short period.
The document said the chances of the spread of the virus on the occasion of Eidul Azha have increased manifold due to the massive movement of animals across the province and other parts of the country. It noted that there is a potential threat to a huge human population from the CCHF virus because of the close contact of the public with the animals.
The Livestock Department said it has strategised efforts to protect people visiting cattle markets, particularly in the provincial metropolis to buy sacrificial animals.
The Livestock Department has established Congo Fever Control Cell to cope with the emergency situation. The Mobile Veterinary Clinics are holding camps in the animal markets and spraying the animals against ticks.
The district administrations have been directed to fence the animal markets and entrance and exit gates established for easy spraying of the animals against the ticks.
Congo fever is transmissible to humans through contact with infected blood, other tissue or a tick bite. People handling livestock or ostriches during routine procedures, such as castration, the inserting of ear tags, vaccinations or slaughtering of animals, are at risk. People can also get infected through the handling of ticks.
There is no evidence that the Congo fever virus may transmit to humans in meat processed and matured according to the health regulations as it does not survive in meat cooked or matured properly.
The virus is transmitted to people either by tick bites or through contact with infected animals’ blood or tissues during and immediately after slaughter. The people involved in the livestock industry such as livestock traders, slaughterhouse workers, butchers and veterinarians are at high risk.
However, the people visiting animal markets for purchases during Eidul Azha days or even general population is at risk during extensive animal marketing.
Human-to-human transmission can occur resulting from close contact with the blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of infected persons.
Hospital-acquired infections can also occur due to improper sterilisation of medical equipment, reuse of needles and contamination of medical supplies.
“The people should take extra measures while visiting cattle markets or slaughtering the sacrificial animals on the occasion of Eid,” said Dr Asal Khan, senior veterinary officer of the Livestock Department.