Minister orders steps as Congo threat looms large

CONGO FEVER CLAIMS ANOTHER LIFE IN CITY

Dozens of small, non-formal and makeshift cattle markets in different parts of the city have become a serious threat of spread of Congo virus.

Cattles traders are wandering in different parts of the city along with a few of their cattle heads, selling them to citizens on footpaths and streets. Small cattle markets, set up illegally, could be seen at Burns Road, Mazar-e-Quaid, Jail Chowrangi, Old Sabzi Mandi, Safoora Chowrangi, Gulistan-e-Johar and other areas.

Cattle heads being sold in these small cattle markets are not sprayed against Congo virus and other diseases. Citizens have requested the authorities concerned and police to take action against these cattle markets established illegally and ensure that cattle heads are not sold on footpaths and KARACHI: Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) claimed another life in Karachi on Monday, taking the death toll from the deadly virus to six this year. Sindh Health Department’s focal person Dr Zafar Mehdi said that a 49-year-old man, Salamuddin, a resident of Karimabad area of Karachi, died in a private hospital. He was suffering from Congo fever, he added. The official said that a total of six people had died of Congo fever this year so far, out of which two hailed from Afghanistan, two from Karachi and two from Punjab province’s Bahawalpur city. Health experts say CCHF is a deadly viral disease which spreads through tick-bites found on animals, and people who deal in dairy farming and livestock are likely to get infected.

streets of Karachi at any cost.

Meanwhile, Sindh Minister for Livestock and Fisheries Muhammad Ali Malkani took notice of a media report about threats of Congo virus in cattle markets. The minister directed livestock officials and veterinary doctors to ensure precautionary measures, including spray and fumigation with other medications, to prevent a possible outbreak of Congo virus at cattle markets. In this regard, on the directives of the minister, Livestock Deputy Director Dr Muzaffar Ali Vighio constituted various special teams of doctors, para-veterinary and field staff which would make arrangements for prevention the disease.