Pakistan has faced a number of important healthcares. In 2000, a fatal epidemic of Crimean Congo Haemorrhagic Fever knocked Pakistan. The people of Pakistan are at a very high danger of acquiring CCHF. The backward healthcare system of the country is presently not prepared to deal with problem of this nature. Healthcare experts and hospitals are not fit to properly diagnose, control and restrict CCHF. A large number of the general public is not conscious of the spread and control of the disease. The agricultural sector of Pakistan contributes to the economy large and so many people are involved in animal farming and the managing of livestock which can give rise to the transfer CCHF virus. Taking into consideration urban areas the danger of transfer is substantially higher around the time of Eid-ul-Azha, when Muslims slaughter goats and cows. The political rebellion countered by the country have also increased Pakistan’s exposure because a large number of refugees from Afghanistan, a CCHF epidemic country, have migrated to Pakistan as a consequent of the Afghan war. Most of the refugees and their animals settle in Baluchistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces, which consequently have a higher prevalence of CCHF. Basic health facilities are available in the healthcare system in urban areas of Pakistan, but unfortunately this is not available throughout the whole country. So far as the rural areas are concerned, there is a scarcity of Basic Healthcare Units.
The CCHF virus goes to humans through tick bites or by direct contact with infected animal blood often through farmers, slaughterhouse workers, and so forward. Further person-to-person transmission can take place owing to straight forward or not straight forward contact with the skin, mucous membranes, or body fluids of infected patients. Tick bites serve as the large mode of transmission of disease; however, the blood, body fluids and tissues of susceptible animals might also pose a threat for humans. For instance, healthcare professionals who deal with patients infected with CCHFV are at a high danger of infection due to insufficient biosafety policies and practices and an absence of proper management procedures. Agriculture is a principal source of income for a large number of people in Pakistan, especially those living in villages and towns and this involves enormous animal husbandry and livestock management. Livestock is a big capital consideration in rural areas of Pakistan and animal husbandry is the large source of income for around 75 percent of the Pakistani population. In the year 2016 a total of 20 patients died in Pakistan from CCHF the large number being from the Sindh province. Congo fever continues to claim lives in the country. Another Congo-related death was reported in Karachi as a 27-year-old patient passed away due to the fever. This brings the death toll of the disease to six this year. Three days back, the patient was admitted with a high fever to a private hospital near Kala Pul. He was then shifted to another private hospital in Gulshan-e-Iqbal, where he passed away due to the dangerous disease.
With the escalation of the fatal disease and Eidul Azha forthcoming, it is significant to create consciousness among the public. Animals are brought from different cities to Karachi. They can be bringing the ticks and nevertheless the disease with them. It enters to humans through blood or bodily secretions from animals. To protect contact with sacrificial animals one should wear full-sleeved clothes and be as covered as possible when they go near an animal. Since there is no way of knowing which animal has the disease, it is best for everyone to take full preventive measures. Whenever a patient is admitted with Congo to a hospital, the area is separated to prevent it from spreading to others. First symptoms of the disease are fever, fatigue, muscle aches and vomiting. If anyone had contact with an animal and have fever after that, with vomiting and muscle aches, then the person should immediately go to a hospital. In the beginning one can control the disease but it can be lethal in one to two weeks. In order to avoid Congo fever on the occasion of forthcoming Eid ul Azha, District Health Authority has issued guidelines. The residents were advised to wear gloves and use masks while going to the animal markets as sacrificial animals are being transported in the city areas. The DHA also advised to wear light-coloured clothing during a visit to the animal market so that ticks can be easily identified on the clothes and regularly examine clothing and skin for ticks. The advisory explained that Congo Crimean Haemorrhagic Fever is a disease caused by a tick-borne virus and vector for the CCHF virus. A large number of wild and domestic animals, such as cattle, buffaloes, goats, and sheep are quiet carriers of this virus and the adult ticks feed on these animals.
Punjab government has increased the number of anti-Congo virus spray teams on Lahore’s entrance points. The outbreak of Congo virus is scary in the Punjab capital due to the cattle markets formed in various areas for Eid-ul-Azha. The local administration has step up by increasing the number of anti-Congo virus teams on all the 14 entrance points. It was also directed that no sacrificial animal would be permitted to enter the city without protective spray. The teams are performing their duties well to control the large danger of Congo virus. Not an isolated case of Congo virus has been reported in Lahore so far, but the department is trying hard to make the general masses aware about this fatal virus. The Livestock and Dairy Development Department has also been directed to guarantee a prompt anti-Congo virus spray in the cattle markets. The authorities have also advised the cattle traders to take preventive measures against the disease.