Veterinary doctors to be present at sale points, cattle markets for vaccination

Rawalpindi

As many as 42 veterinary doctors will be present at 21 sale points in Rawalpindi to spray insecticide and inject vaccine to sacrificial animals. The spray and injection for sacrificial animals will be free of cost to minimise chances of spread of ‘Congo Virus’.

The sale points at Girja Road, Adiala Road, Misriyal Road, KRL Road, Gulzar-e-Quaid, Chaklala Ground, Morgah Road, Gulistan Colony, Ghani Road, Bagh-e-Sardaran, Commercial Market, IJ Principal Road, Katarian, Dhoke Hassu, Pirwadhai, Khayaban-e-Sir Syed, Arshi Block, Rawal Road, Chungi No22, Muslim Town, Jhanda Chichi and Satellite Town. The concerned authority has established cattle markets at Rawat, Channi, Adiala and Chakri.

Executive District Officer (EDO) Livestock Dr Arshad Latif told ‘The News’ that they have deputed 2 veterinary doctors at every sale point where they will provide spray and injection for sacrificial animals to stop spread of ‘Congo Virus’.

He said that no doubt, ‘Congo Virus’ spreads through animals but public should not fear coming to sacrificial animals markets. They should take precautionary measures before coming in animal markets or sale points, he advised. Parents are requested not to bring children with them at sale points or markets, he advised. The buyers should wear gloves and cover face with masks before coming to sale points or markets, he warned.

Majority of citizens is least interested in buying sacrificial animals due to fear of ‘Congo Virus’ and are hoping that sellers will sell animals on low prices this year as compared to last year.

The deadly disease has claimed several lives in the last month, including a doctor from Bahawalpur. So far, there is no policy requiring the animals to be vaccinated before being granted entry into the markets.

The transportation of animals from various districts of Sindh, Punjab and Balochistan has been started. Around 90,000 animals have already reached the markets of Punjab province including Rawalpindi and 300000 large and 100000 small sacrificial animals are expected to arrive within the next couple of days. It is worth mentioning here that cattle owners and traders are unaware about their vulnerability to the disease and the threat posed to them and the population at large during Eidul Azha.

Talking to ‘The News’ people belongIing to different walks of life appealed to the government to provide ‘Congo Free’ animals of them. There is a fear and panic among public that animals have ‘Congo Virus’ therefore majority of them are reluctant to buy animals, they said.

Nazir Ahmed, a big dealer of animals said that they are upset regarding to news of ‘Congo Virus’ in animals. It has strongly affected our sale as majority of buyers are in the state of fear, he said. Public usually start buying sacrificial animals a month before of Eid every year but this year we are empty handed yet due to ‘Congo Virus’ in animals, he said. He said that they invest millions of rupees in animals but they have fears that they could suffer huge losses this year.

“Apparently, the Congo virus threat has emerged from animals coming from Afghanistan. So, there is a need for inspection and treatment at provincial entry points being used by a majority of transporters to bring animals,” he said.