PESHAWAR – Keeping in view the risk of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF), the Health Department has declared the situation very critical in Dera Ismail Khan and Dir Lower.
Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) is a viral hemorrhagic fever caused by the Nairovirus, transmitted to the human body by a bite of Hyalomma tick or by direct contact with blood of an infected animal or human being.
The domestic animals are considered as amplifying host during the process of transmission of the disease.
During the last week a high alert situation was declared by the Health Department after confirmation of positive human cases of CCHF in DI Khan and Dir Lower districts. In human, the clinical symptoms of CCHF include fever, headache, Mayalgia, large reddish, bluish patches on skin, blood in vomiting, Haemoturia and blood in stool. Livestock owners, veterinarians, butchers and agriculture workers are considered as high-risk occupations for the diseases.
It is important to note that most of the animals don’t show any clinical signs after being infected with CCHF, though Viraemia lasting for 7-10 days has been reported in mammals infected by the said viral diseases.
In this alarming situation and to minimise the risk of spread of CCHF in human, the Livestock and Dairy Development Department Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has to bear its responsibility to combat against CCHF.
In this context all the district livestock officers of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has been advised to organize the Ticks Eradication, spray campaigns in their respective circle especially at the inlet of weekly and daily Animals fairs markets. They were also advised to ensure the availability of anti ticks’ medicines for the field staff involved in these campaigns. They have been requested to direct their field staff for keeping close watch on the Livestock movement especially at the district entry and exit points for anti ticks spray on animals with ticks’ infestation.