Shiloh
Editor, Senior Moderator
Source: http://main.omanobserver.om/?p=17846
Steps to tackle Congo fever
Tuesday 01st, October 2013 / 22:52 Written by Oman Observer
By Conrad Prabhu ? MUSCAT ? The Ministry of Health (MoH) is working with the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MoAF) to formulate measures aimed at tackling an outbreak of Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) which has begun to sporadically manifest itself in different parts of the Sultanate, public health officials disclosed here yesterday. The revelation came during a presentation on the highly infectious viral disease to healthcare workers of Al Nahda Hospital, a leading tertiary institution of Muscat. Titled ?Awareness Day on CCHF?, the event emphasised the importance of early detection and diagnosis coupled with the adoption of stringent infection control procedures in containing the spread of the scourge...
...As many as eight cases of Congo fever have come to light in the Sultanate since the start of the year, of which five ? comprising a mix of expatriates and Omanis ? eventually succumbed to the disease. This compares with a total of eight cases reported over the preceding 17 years, say officials.
Of the latter eight cases, the first four were reported during 1995-96, followed by two cases apiece in 2011 and 2012. This year?s tally effectively represents a significant spike, the reasons behind which are still unclear, officials note. All 16 cases were found to have been associated with the livestock sector, either as herders, animal handlers, butchers or abattoir workers.. Virus transmission was invariably the result of bites by infected ticks or exposure to the fresh blood of infected animals...
Steps to tackle Congo fever
Tuesday 01st, October 2013 / 22:52 Written by Oman Observer
By Conrad Prabhu ? MUSCAT ? The Ministry of Health (MoH) is working with the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MoAF) to formulate measures aimed at tackling an outbreak of Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) which has begun to sporadically manifest itself in different parts of the Sultanate, public health officials disclosed here yesterday. The revelation came during a presentation on the highly infectious viral disease to healthcare workers of Al Nahda Hospital, a leading tertiary institution of Muscat. Titled ?Awareness Day on CCHF?, the event emphasised the importance of early detection and diagnosis coupled with the adoption of stringent infection control procedures in containing the spread of the scourge...
...As many as eight cases of Congo fever have come to light in the Sultanate since the start of the year, of which five ? comprising a mix of expatriates and Omanis ? eventually succumbed to the disease. This compares with a total of eight cases reported over the preceding 17 years, say officials.
Of the latter eight cases, the first four were reported during 1995-96, followed by two cases apiece in 2011 and 2012. This year?s tally effectively represents a significant spike, the reasons behind which are still unclear, officials note. All 16 cases were found to have been associated with the livestock sector, either as herders, animal handlers, butchers or abattoir workers.. Virus transmission was invariably the result of bites by infected ticks or exposure to the fresh blood of infected animals...
