Section 144 has been invoked, prohibiting cattle markets and inter-district cattle movement for 10 days preceding Eid-ul-Azha.
In a meeting chaired by Deputy Commissioner Rao Atif Raza, a technical advisory committee comprising local administration, health, and livestock officials decided to ban cattle markets in several areas, including Gondal in Attock and Domel, Jand, and Gali Jageer in Fatehjang. Additionally, strict measures were taken to prohibit inter-district and inter-provincial cattle movements.
Deputy Commissioner Rao Atif Raza, accompanied by the assistant commissioner of Hassanabdal, conducted a surprise inspection at the livestock department checkpost on the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa-Punjab border at Jehri Kass on Hazara Road to monitor potential cattle movement from KP to Punjab.
Commissioner Rawalpindi Division Engineer Aamir Khattak also inspected the livestock checkpost in Attock Khurd on G.T. Road to review the arrangements made by the Attock administration.
District Health Authority Chief Executive Dr. Asad Ismail reported that the latest outbreak of the Congo virus was identified on May 1, leading to the unfortunate demise of two patients. The National Institute of Health (NIH) confirmed that both patients were infected with the Congo virus.
Dr. Ismail emphasized the severity of the Congo virus, highlighting its high fatality rate and transmission from animals to humans and between humans. Symptoms include bleeding from the gums, nose, and stools, along with high fever.
Attock Livestock Department Additional Director Dr. Abdul Hameed mentioned the establishment of checkposts at all district entry and exit points to enforce the ban on cattle movement.
In response to the outbreak, the Punjab government has dispatched a nine-member committee of health and livestock experts to investigate the causes and devise strategies for controlling the spread of the disease, especially with the impending mass movement of cattle ahead of Eid-ul-Azha.
