Health authorities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have issued a province-wide advisory to prevent the spread of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF), urging heightened vigilance ahead of Eidul Azha.
An alert has been circulated to hospitals across the province, including in Peshawar, directing them to adopt precautionary measures in view of the increased risk associated with livestock handling during the upcoming festival.
The advisory describes CCHF as a highly infectious and potentially fatal disease, instructing District Health Officers (DHOs), Medical Teaching Institutions (MTIs), and district hospitals to strictly implement preventive protocols.
Hospitals have been directed to promptly send samples of suspected cases to designated public health laboratories, accompanied by duly completed case investigation forms. Healthcare providers have been advised to remain vigilant, follow standard safety procedures, and ensure timely identification and management of suspected patients.
The use of personal protective equipment (PPE) has been made mandatory for medical staff, alongside strict adherence to infection prevention and control measures. The advisory further emphasises that samples must be transported using triple-layer packaging while maintaining the cold chain.
Authorities have also highlighted the importance of tick control in livestock to limit transmission, noting that PCR and ELISA tests have been approved for diagnostic purposes. Medical personnel have been instructed to exercise extreme caution while collecting blood samples from suspected cases.
Hospitals have been advised to stay in close coordination with the virology department of the National Institute of Health for further technical guidance.
