More staff to be trained for handling congo virus cases

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More staff to be trained for handling congo virus cases

Professional Development Centre (PDC) of Dow University of Health Sciences (DUHS) Karachi in collaboration with Health Department, Govt. of Sindh to educate the general practitioners and public on the outbreak of Congo Haemorrhagic Fever in Karachi organized a Seminar on “Congo Haemorrhagic Fever” today at Arag Auditorium of Dow Medical College, Karachi.

Dr. Capt. Mansoor Alam Halipota, Additional Secretary (Public Health), Govt of Sindh speaking as the Chief Guest on the occasion said that government of Sindh is a step ahead for the sake of protection of public health in each emerging population health issues.

He said that “No doubt, our country especially our province Sindh has been facing many challenges of emerging population issues and outbreak of epidemic”. “With the combined efforts of stakeholders and community participants, the Health Department will soon overcome this challenge. The trained team to handle Congo virus threat will further train more staff and healthcare providers and personnel as well as increase community awareness about Congo fever”, he added.

Prof. Khursheed Hashmi, Professor of Pathology, Liaquat National Hospital in his presentation on “Epidemiology of Congo Haemorrhagic Fever” said that Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a tick-born disease caused by a Nairovirus of the Family Bunyaviridae.  Infection is transmitted to humans by direct contact with the blood or tissues of infected humans or viraemic livestock. CCHF fatality ranges from 5 -50% depending upon the availability of modern medical care.

In 1976, 17 cases are reported in both Rawalpindi and Balochistan in which 3 dies. The cases are document sporadically every year, mostly at around the time of Eid-ul-Aza. Talking about preventives measure includes awareness, he said that training of healthcare, establishment of early warning system, Biosafety training of butchers and protection of hospital staff is very important. There is need to introduce body sustains isolation in each hospital to reduce the chance of the epidemic.

Prof. Shabana Urooj, Pro-Vice Chancellor, University of Karachi spoke on CCHF is caused by a virus which was isolated first in 1944. In Pakistan, first case was reported in January 1976 in Rawalpindi, followed by several cases and lase of them is seen in Abottabad Dec 2005.

The Biosafety issues related to Congo Haemorrhagic depends upon Disease severity, Transmissibility to laboratory workers, availability of treatment and availability of vaccine. The problem related to the spread of CCF includes, poor infrastructure laboratories, inappropriate functioning of laboratories, absence of policy legislation.

She stressed on the need to sensitize the masses regarding preventive measures so that they could protect themselves from the disease by adopting precautionary steps.

Dr. Iftikhar Ahmed, Director OJHA Institute of Chest Diseases said that CCHF symptoms include fever, aching muscles, dizziness, neck pain and stiffness, backache, headache, sore eyes and sensitivity to light. Other clinical signs that may emerge include fast heart rate, dramatic drop in platelet and white blood cell counts, bleeding from the upper bowel, blood in the urine, nosebleeds, and bleeding from the gums. The severely ill may develop liver and kidney failures after the fifth day of illness. In patients who recover, improvement generally begins on the ninth or tenth day after the onset of illness.

CCVF required antiviral treatment and isolation to protect contacts. DHF, on the other hand does not require isolation as it is spread by mosquito bite and cannot be treated with antiviral drugs, they added.

Prof. M. Umar Farooq, Pro-VC, DUHS & Principle SMC said that appreciated the efforts of Govt of Sindh in organizing his informative workshop. He said that basic knowledge and safety precaution should be given to every student in medical college which will help to prevent cross-infection.

Earlier, Mr. Sikandar Sherwani, Faculty, Federal Urdu University gave a hands-on demonstration of Protecting yourself through personal protective equipment. The seminar concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr. Rafiq Khanai of Dow Diagnostic laboratory and shield distribution among the participants.

2017-04-26T12:35:36+00:00