Health Ministry Monitoring Congo Situation, Taking Preventive Measures

APP

Islamabad: Health Caretaker Federal Minister Dr Nadeem Jan assured that the Health Ministry is in full contact with the provincial governments and continuously monitoring the situation after the outbreak of the Congo virus in Balochistan.

Minister said on Wednesday that the ministry is taking effective measures to prevent citizens from contracting the Congo virus.

Dr Nadeem told that when there was an outbreak in Balochistan, the National Institute of Health (NIH) immediately sent a mission to find out the causes of the outbreak. He made it clear that there is no vaccine to prevent Congo fever.

DrJan asked the citizens to follow the guidelines of the NIH.

Federal Minister stated that the virus is mostly found in the hair follicles of sheep, goats, cows, buffaloes and other livestock. When this tick bites a cattle or human, the virus becomes active in it. The virus can also be transmitted through the blood of an infected person or animal.

He advised that before buying or slaughtering sheep or goats, citizens make sure that there are no ticks on the animal’s body.

Minister Jan further advised to use gloves when slaughteringand examining the animal, protect pets from fleas, and use medicines in consultation with the livestock department.

He advised disposing of blood and offal carefully after slaughtering animals.

He asked doctors to use personal protective measures such as gloves and masks when treating a Congolese patient. Keep the patient in a separate room (isolation) during treatment and implement all infection control guidelines.

Interim Minister recommended taking proper precautions while injecting and disposing of the syringe or needle properly.