Sindh Minister for Livestock and Fisheries Muhammad Ali Malkani said that sacrificial animals transported from Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are more suspicious for having Congo virus.
He said this while addressing a seminar organised by Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) on prevention from Congo virus in animals ahead of Eidul Azha. The seminar was attended Zulfiqar Ali Sheikh, Faisal Jamal Dashti, Hanif Gohar, FPCCI vice presidents and others.
Malkani said that the virus cannot be diagnosed easily and a laboratory test is necessary for the purpose. The minister said that he is visiting various cattle markets in Karachi to aware the people about this virus; however, he said that it is not an easy task to prevent it.
He admitted that vaccinating or spraying each vehicle carrying cattle into the city is not possible. However, he said, a camp has been set up at Sohrab Goth for the purpose – the entry point to main city areas, adding that small animals are more prone to this disease.
The livestock minister further said that once an animal is vaccinated, its flesh is not healthy for human consumption for at least one month. The provincial government would soon announce to establish an advisory board regarding Congo virus, he added.
Earlier, the experts informed the seminar that Congo virus was spread from African nations. The virus can be found in both wild and domestic animals.
FPCCI Vice President Hanif Gohar said that two cases of Congo virus have been reported in Karachi so far but preventive measures are important for the safety of humans especially ahead of Eidul Azha.
The experts urged the authorities and provincial government to take stern measures against illegal cattle markets and to ensure that vendors have all preventions to avoid the spread of this virus.
