Drive against CCHF launched in Karachi

MN Report

KARACHI - Sindh health department has launched a campaign to create awareness about Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) across the city.

According to director (health) Karachi, Dr Zafar Ejaz, Congo is deadly viral disease which is spread through tick-bites found on animals and people engaged in dairy farming and livestock are more prone to carry the virus.

“Of the total three Congo infected cases reported this year, so for, one had expired,” he added.

About the awareness campaign, he said that all town health officers have been directed to create awareness about the deadly disease among people by organizing different programmes in their respective towns.

During the drive, seminars and informative sessions will be arranged in the city, especially in the vicinity of cattle markets so that people could be apprised about preventive measures against the Congo virus, he said, adding that pamphlets containing information concerning the virus would also be distributed among the citizens.

Dr Zafar Ejaz said that 22 Congo viral fever cases were reported in the city during 2014 and six of them had died.

He said necessary directives have also been issued to the heads of government hospitals for dealing with the patients suspected of carrying Congo viral fever. 

Moreover, Sindh health department has requested senior director (Veterinary Services) to depute veterinary doctors at exit and entrance points of city so as to ensure no infected animal could enter the city’s cattle markets, he added.