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Eid ul Adha: NIH issues advisory on Congo Hemorrhagic Fever

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  • Advisories issued to sensitise human,animal healthcare authorities.
  • NIH says taking necessary steps to stop spread of disease crucial. 
  • Naegleria mostly occurs during hot summer months.

ISLAMABAD: The National Institute of Health (NIH) has issued an advisory on the prevention and control of Crimean Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) and Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM), Naegleriasis.

According to NIH, the institute’s Field Epidemiology and Disease Surveillance Division (FEDSD) issued advisories with the purpose to sensitise human and animal healthcare authorities to further strengthen and improve the level of preparedness in the prevention and control of CCHF and Naegleriasis.

In the wake of high disease transmission and risk due to anticipated increased human-animal interaction during the upcoming Eid ul Adha, it is imperative to be vigilant about the situation and take necessary steps to interrupt the transmission of CCHF.

CCHF is a widespread disease caused by a tick-borne virus (nairovirus) of the Bunyaviridae family.

Numerous wild and domestic animals, such as cattle, goats, sheep and hares are carriers of this virus.

The CCHF virus is transmitted to people either by tick bites or through contact with infected animal blood or tissues during and immediately after slaughter.

Transmission to humans occurs through contact with infected ticks or animal blood.

CCHF can be transmitted from an infected person to another person by contact with infectious blood, secretions, or body fluids.

According to the advisory, this year, Balochistan has reported 81 and KP reported three suspected cases, out of which 27 were positive from Balochistan, including five deaths up to June 2023. There is currently no vaccine available for humans and the only way to reduce infection is by raising awareness.

As per the advisory, the public health advice should focus on several aspects, including wearing protective clothing (long sleeves, long trousers), wearing light-coloured clothing to allow easy detection of ticks on the clothes and using approved insect repellent on the skin.

Insect repellents are the most effective in warding off ticks in human populations besides avoiding visiting areas where ticks are abundant and seasons when they are most active.

Naegleria fowleri is an amoeba, (also known as brain-eating amoeba) is a single-celled, thermophilic, free-living pathogen found widely in freshwater environments like warm bodies of fresh water, such as lakes, rivers, hot springs and even in the soil.

Despite lower incidence, the PAM disease is also widely distributed in tropical areas and mostly occurs during hot summer months.

Most cases of PAM arise from freshwater sources like lakes and pools, but an increasing number are now linked to drinking water systems.

Deaths related to PAM have been regularly reported from Karachi and some other parts of the country since 2008. With three recently reported cases in 2023, the total count of cases has climbed up to 150 in the country during the last 14 years.

The NIH recommended that during recreational activities like swimming, avoid diving and getting water up in the nose, try to avoid water-related activities when the water is not chlorinated, empty and clean small collapsible bathing pools daily, ensure swimming pools and spas are adequately chlorinated and well maintained, avoid jumping or diving into bodies of warm freshwater, avoid putting head under water in hot springs and other untreated geothermal waters and if using un-chlorinated water, don’t allow water to go up in nose when bathing, showering or washing the face.

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Honours From The Families Of The Martyrs: September 1965’s Heroes Are Recalled

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Pakistan marks the anniversary of the day the Pakistani Army defeated an enemy attack and won a major victory on September 6. On this day of defence, the families of the war martyrs from 1965 offered their opinions:

The soldiers’ actions in demolishing enemy tanks with explosives and their bravery in the dark were commended by Shaheed Sepoy Muhammad Haleem’s brother. He gave the 1965 martyrs his respects.

The significance of Defence Day is remembered for the martyrs, as stressed by Shaheed Sepoy Shahid Ahmed’s uncle. The brother of Shaheed Sepoy Aftab Hussain offered gratitude to everyone who has given their life in defence of the nation.

In addition to emphasising the value of encouraging rather than criticising the troops, Shaheed Sepoy Wazir Ahmed’s brother praised the soldiers for foiling the enemy’s schemes.

Javed Ahmed, Shaheed Lance Naik’s cousin, emphasised September 6th’s significance as a day of victory.

In addition to expressing support for the Pakistani Army today, the brother of Shaheed Havaldar Shafiq reiterated their dedication to remembering the dead of September 6, 1965.

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The Finance Minister has pledged to attract foreign investments by creating an environment that is friendly to business.

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In a recent statement, Pakistan’s Minister of Finance Muhammad Aurangzeb reaffirmed the country’s unwavering dedication to luring international investments by preserving an atmosphere that is commercially encouraging.

A group of international investors, led by Amin Mohammad Khowaja, the Chief Executive Officer of J.P. Morgan Pakistan, had visited him in Islamabad. He was speaking with them.

Muhammad Aurangzeb also provided further information regarding the ambitious structural reforms program of the government. This agenda aims to strengthen the general macroeconomic stability by widening the tax base, rightsizing the public sector, promoting privatization, and reforming the energy sector.

The Minister of Finance emphasized the great achievements that Pakistan has made in strengthening its macroeconomic indicators, such as the increase in exports by 14 percent, the decrease in inflation to 9.6 percent, which is the lowest level in 34 months, and an overall decrease in the current account deficit among Pakistan’s economic indicators.

It was also brought to his attention that Pakistan’s sovereign credit ratings had improved, which is indicative of a stable and encouraging economic future. According to him, the rigorous fiscal discipline, inflation management, and favorable balance of payments that the country has are the pillars upon which the country’s economic prosperity.

In addition to expressing confidence regarding the potential for larger investment flows into Pakistan, the delegation praised the efforts that the government has made to establish an atmosphere that is conducive to business.

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Journalists require training. Media professionals who have received training can serve as ambassadors. Tarar

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According to Information Minister Atta Ullah Tarar, journalists must possess sufficient skills in order to serve as ambassadors for the country, particularly in the digital realm, to foster unity among people. This is a pressing requirement at present.

During an event in Islamabad focused on journalist training, Atta Ullah Tarrar, the Minister responsible for combating misinformation, stated his official role.

The Information Minister emphasized the indispensability of technology for achieving prosperity, and in line with this, the Government has implemented Pakistan’s inaugural digital land registry system.

Tarar stated that we have the privilege of initiating Pakistan’s inaugural safe city project.

Regarding verification and authentication, the Information Minister lamented the lack of a method to validate information.

According to the Information Minister, terrorist organizations are utilizing social media platforms. Additionally, the minister highlighted that the country’s economy is delicate, and the dissemination of a single false news item might result in significant economic losses for the nation.

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