Awareness drive launched to check spread of Congo virus

CHITRAL: The livestock department on Wednesday said it has launched an awareness drive and fumigation to eliminate chances of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever cases in Chitral.

The department also arranged a walk during which officials from the department shed light on precautionary measures to avoid the disease.

Director Livestock Dr Gul Zaman Khan told participants of the walk that the drive had been launched in collaboration with the Snow Leopard Foundation.

He aid teams had been constituted in all the veterinary centres to carry out spray in cattle pens and other areas. The teams have been directed to remain on a vigil as people’s contact with cattle increases before Eidul Azha.

Congo fever is an infection caused by Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Virus (CCHFV), a nairovirus belonging to the Bunyaviridae family. It is a zoonosis – an animal disease that can spread to humans – primarily affecting wild animals and domestic livestock.

Mr Khan also appealed to the citizens to cooperate with the staff of the livestock department in getting their pens and other areas sprayed besides taking precautionary measures to avoid contracting the disease. –Bashir Hussain Azad