Congo Fever Cases in Punjab, Minister Livestock chaired a special Meeting

A Zoom meeting on Congo Virus Disease situation was held under the chairmanship of Minister for Livestock Punjab Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani. Secretary Livestock Punjab, Ahmed Aziz Tarar, also participated. The meeting focused on the current situation of Congo Fever Cases in Punjab and discussed the strategy to control it.

Congo Fever Cases in Punjab

On this occasion, it was informed that two cases of Congo Virus have been identified in the Rawalpindi Division this month. One person has been reported to have died of Congo Virus Disease in Hazro (Attock) while a patient is under treatment in Taxila, Rawalpindi. Importantly, no history of animal contact was found in the cases.

What is Congo Fever

Congo fever is also called Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF). It is a viral disease transmitted to humans through bites of infected Hyalomma ticks or direct contact with the blood or tissues of infected livestock such as cattle, goats, and sheep. Livestock act as silent carriers of the virus and play a key role in its spread of the disease. In humans, it is a deadly disease. Its symptoms include high fever, muscle pain, headache, vomiting, and in severe cases, bleeding and organ failure. Diagnosis is confirmed through specialized laboratory tests such as PCR or ELISA. There is no specific antiviral treatment, but early supportive care and isolation are critical for patient recovery and preventing further spread.

Details on CCHF – Congo Disease 

Directions to Control Congo Fever Cases in Punjab

Provincial Minister for Livestock and Agriculture Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani said on this occasion that Congo Virus Disease is a contagious and deadly viral disease that is transmitted from animals to humans, for which the Livestock Department should ensure all precautionary measures and necessary measures. Tick-killing spray should be started in inter-provincial check posts, hospitals, and dispensaries established across the province.

Minister Livestock also directed to put the staff of the Livestock Department on duty 24/7. Vigilant surveillance should be made possible at all costs, and orders were issued to establish livestock camps at inter-provincial borders so that no animal could enter Punjab without being sprayed and checked. In case of emergency, a sufficient supply of spray medicine would be made possible.

The meeting, chaired by the Provincial Minister for Livestock Punjab, also considered the options of closing the cattle markets for two weeks and taking random sampling of animals.

Awareness Campaign on Congo Fever

The Provincial Minister for Livestock further said that the government was following a zero tolerance policy to prevent the spread of this disease. He also issued orders to run an awareness campaign under the supervision of Deputy Commissioners in the border districts of Rawalpindi, Sargodha, and Gujranwala divisions to prevent Congo Virus Disease and to publish advertisements in newspapers regarding taking precautionary measures. Traceability will be ensured in all the livestock markets of Punjab. The report of checking and spraying of animals of all livestock markets on a daily basis should be sent to him.

Livestock Department Actions

The Provincial Minister for Livestock was informed in a briefing on this occasion that an advisory has been issued to all Deputy Commissioners and related departments, while 15 inter-provincial and district screening check posts have been established. A tick spray campaign has been launched for animals. For further guidance, a 24/7 helpline toll-free 08000-9211 is operational. The Provincial Minister was informed that the Livestock Department has sufficient quantities of all medicines, acaricidal drugs, and spray machines, while the Chief Executive Officer of the Punjab Cattle Market Management Company has been informed to take necessary steps.

The meeting was attended by Additional Secretary (Technical) Dr. Usman Tahir, Director, Rawalpindi, Divisional Directors, representatives of the Cattle Market Company, and Commissioners.

Editor In Chief

Dr. Jassar Aftab is a qualified Veterinarian having expertise in veterinary communication. He is a renowned veterinary Journalist of Pakistan. He is veterinary columnist, veterinary writer and veterinary analyst. He is the author of three books. He has written a number of articles and columns on different topics related to livestock, dairy, poultry, wildlife, fisheries, food security and different aspects of animal sciences and veterinary education.

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