Daily Times

Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) has expressed its concern about the increasing cases of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever across the country.

With Eid-ul-Azha just around the corner, more people will be at risk since the fever spreads through contact with animals.

PMA, in an issued statement, advised people to wear full sleeves, light colours and socks. The medical association also instructed people to apply insect repellent, inspect themselves for ticks and take frequent bathes.

Statement said that people should wear gloves and cover their faces with masks while slaughtering an animal. It further instructed people to wash their hands immediately after removing gloves. “Keep animal pelt separately in plastic sheets because it may have ticks in it. Do not dispose of waste or blood on the street. Avoid contact with infected people,” the statement added.

PMA said that in case of high fever, muscle aches, backache, headache, vomiting, severe bruising and nose bleeds one should immediately consult their physician.

PMA said that it felt its responsibility to make people aware about the Congo Virus and issue safety measures to prevent people from contracting the fever.

Congo Virus is spread by the bite of ticks which have fed on an infected animal or from exposure to blood or tissues during or immediately the slaughter of an infected animal. The virus also spreads through close contact with the blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of infected people.

According to PMA’s statement, people who are in contact with livestock animals including animal herders, butchers, livestock workers and people in contact with an infected person are more at risk.

Published in Daily Times, August 16^th 2018.