KABUL (Pajhwok): The World Health Organization’s representative office in Afghanistan says Congo fever cases are on the rise and advised people with symptoms such as fever, headache, and muscle pain to see a doctor.
The WHO in Afghanistan on its Facebook page without providing specific statistics on the number of people infected with the disease: “CCHF is a serious viral disease that is transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected tick, or contact with the blood or meat of an infected animal, especially during or immediately after slaughter. It is increasing in Afghanistan and puts many communities at risk”.
“CCHF) is preventable… Early action can save lives; protect yourself and prevent the spread of this disease”.
- Organization’s Messages
- Do not pull the tick with your fingers or pull it out of its skin – use tweezers to gently remove it from the head and close to the skin.
- Wash the bite site with soap and water or an antiseptic for at least one minute.
- Watch for fever, headache, or muscle aches within 2 weeks. If you have these symptoms, see a doctor and tell them about the tick bite.
“Early action can save lives, protect yourself and prevent the spread of CCHF”: the report added.
On the other hand, spokesman for the Ministry of Public Health Dr. Sharafat Zaman, told Pajhwok Afghan News: “The figures will be collected next week. We can’t say anything until the figures come in, but last year, the numbers increased during Eid-ul-Adha”
Dr. Faridullah Omari, a trainer and infectious disease specialist at the National and Specialized Infectious Diseases Hospital in Kabul, explained: “After Eid, Congo cases started surfacing, they are increasing day by day, and we have taken our precautions; that is, after Eid, it will reach its peak approximately a week later, the cases are increasing,”.
Currently, there are 16 Congolese patients hospitalized in the hospital.
hz/ma
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