Why Pakistan Is Worried About Congo Fever Spreading During Eid-ul Azha?

Last Updated:May 26, 2026, 18:42 IST

Pakistan tightens Eid-ul Azha livestock rules after FAO warns of rising Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever risk, urging strict hygiene and hospital readiness.

A day after the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) warned of an increased risk of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever during Eid-ul Azha, Pakistani authorities introduced restrictions aimed at curbing zoonotic disease transmission, a move that could hamper festivities surrounding the festival.

“Recent health data shows an upward trajectory, with cases surfacing in dense urban centres. The upcoming festival multiplies exposure opportunities for livestock handlers, butchers and the general public, threatening to strain our healthcare infrastructure if left unchecked," said Dr Abdul Ghafoor Shoro representing the Pakistan Medical Association (PMA).

According to Dawn, the health authorities have urged citizens to ensure handling and slaughtering of sacrificial animals with adequate hygiene and veterinary precautions to minimise risk of Congo Crimean Haemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) — a viral disease that has a fatality rate of up to 40 per cent.

Amid this high risk, the PMA official emphasized the need for activating high-containment isolation wards across major public and private hospitals while urging the district authorities to “mandate basic safety protocols and protective gear usage for professional butchers operating during the festival".

This comes a day after the FAO warned of an increased risk of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever during Eid while stating, “Our teams are sharing guidance that every herder, trader, and family should know, especially before Eid."

What is Congo Fever?

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a rare, serious viral disease spread to humans by tick bites or infected animal blood. People who are at high risk of being infected are healthworkers and people in close contact with livestock.

It is basically found in Eastern and Southern Europe, the Mediterranean, northwestern China, central Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and the Indian subcontinent.

Symptoms can start 1-14 days after being exposed to the virus. There is no vaccine available for either animals or humans.

How it spreads

CCHF virus spreads through:

• Tick bites from infected hard ticks
• Contact with blood or body fluids of infected animals or humans
• Improperly sterilized medical equipment

Signs and symptoms

CCHF symptoms usually appear suddenly and may include:

• High fever
• Severe headache
• Back and joint pain
• Stomach pain and vomiting
• Red eyes and flushed face
• Red spots on the roof of the mouth
• Jaundice
• Changes in mood and sensory perception
• Agitation
• Drowsiness
• Bleeding

People with CCHF are usually sick for about two weeks. Around the fourth day of illness, large areas of severe bruising, severe nosebleeds, and uncontrolled bleeding at injection sites can develop.

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