Muscat: The Directorate General of the Regional Municipalities and Water Resources in North Sharqiyah governorate has issued a warning to nationals and residents against slaughtering livestock infected with the tickborne disease.
“They have to bring livestock to the veterinaries for treatment for the possibility of contracting the Crimean — Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF),” said the warning.
The warning came after two persons died of CCHF last week in South and North Sharqiyah after they approached hospitals late after their condition had worsened.
The Ministry of Health and other government agencies are monitoring the spread of the disease as well as educating people of the risks and how to fight it as there is no effective vaccine available for both humans and animals.
Wearing gloves and other protective clothing is recommended. Individuals should also avoid contact with the blood and body fluids of livestock or humans who show symptoms of infection.
Owners of the livestock should inform the authorities concerned if there is tick insect in the area to take the precautionary measures.
Last February, an Omani national died of haemorrhagic Congo fever in Buraimi province, the Ministry of Health said.
The man caught the fever after he bought goats from a commercial livestock farm in Buraimi, a ministry statement said.
Crimean — Congo haemorrhagic fever claimed five lives in 2016 so far.
In 2015, the Omani authorities had reported 20 cases, and 20 per cent of the patients died.
The first case of haemorrhagic Congo fever was reported in Oman in 1995.
Crimean — Congo haemorrhagic fever, especially common in East and West Africa, is a zoonosis that can transmit from domestic and wild animals to humans with almost 30 per cent mortality rate.
