Ahead of Eid ul Adha, the Health Department in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has issued a formal advisory and alert for hospitals across the province to prevent the possible spread of the Congo virus.
The advisory describes the Congo virus as a highly dangerous and contagious disease and directs all DHOs, MTIs and district hospitals to ensure precautionary measures and strictly follow guidelines.
The Health Department has instructed that all hospitals should send samples of suspected cases to the public health laboratory along with a case investigation form, while maintaining the cold chain and following the principles of triple packaging during the process.
Medical staff have been directed to use PPE while collecting samples from patients and strictly follow infection control protocols. According to the advisory, PCR and ELISA tests will be conducted for the diagnosis of the Congo virus, and hospitals have also been advised to remain in contact with the virology department of NIH for further guidance.
The Health Department has emphasized tick control in livestock to prevent the spread of the virus and directed both the public and medical staff to adopt timely awareness and precautionary measures to protect human lives from this deadly virus.
