Ministry of Health & Prevention Warns of Health Hazards Due to Illegal Slaughtering Away from the Approved Abattoirs

Dubai, July 17th, 2019:

The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) has issued a warning against the risks of the virus Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever (CCHF), which is resulting from the indiscriminate slaughtering of sacrificial animals, whether at houses or by unauthorized street butchers. Such type of illegal slaughtering is increasing with the approach of Eid Al Adha. 

The Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever is classified within the list of priority diseases. In case of being affected by this virus, it should be reported within 24 hours, so that a rapid intervention for epidemiological surveillance can be undertaken by the relevant authorities.

Government Efforts to Enhance Healthy Behaviors

H.E. Dr. Hussein Abdel Rahman Al-Rand, Undersecretary of the Ministry’s Health Assistant Sector, Health Centers and Clinics, shed light on MoHAP’s strenuous efforts to provide comprehensive and innovative healthcare services to prevent the spread of diseases in the society, stressing MoHAP’s cooperation with the Ministry of Climate Change & Environment, Abu Dhabi Health Authorities, Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority and the country’s municipalities to maintain the people’s health and safety.

This could be obtained through boosting the healthy behaviors upon dealing with sacrificial animals, in a way that prevents the causes of common diseases transmission between the human and the animal, such as Crimean fever.
Al Rand attributed that the rigorous system of MoHAP and other health authorities’ epidemiological surveillance for the acute haemorrhagic fever over the past years, in addition to the precision of the laboratory diagnosis played a major role in deducting all Crimean fever cases during the last years. 

Crimean Fever is transmitted to Humans

Dr. Fatima Al Attar, Director, International Health Regulations and Pandemic Control Office, said that the Crimean Fever is transmitted to humans, through a tick bite, or direct contact with the blood or tissues of infected animals during or immediately after slaughter.

Also, the virus is transmitted from one person to another, owing to the direct contact with the person's blood, secretions, organs or other body fluids. 

Al Attar emphasized the importance of visiting health authorities and notifying them of the previous infection and its accompanying symptoms, in the event of the onset of symptoms within two weeks of exposure to pathogens.

She also warned against violating the approved requirements of health and safety, in terms of the indiscriminate slaughtering away from the approved abattoirs or through the unauthorized street butchers. 

She added that such type of illegal slaughtering can lead to the quick spoilage of sacrificial animals, in view of the absence of the veterinary supervision, high temperatures, exposure to external pollutants and the proliferation of fly, insects and rodents due to the unsafe disposal of slaughter residues.

Crimean Fever symptoms are fever, muscle pain, dizziness, neck pain and stiffness, back pain, headache, eye inflammation and sensitivity to light. 

Symptoms that may appear at the beginning of the disease are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain and sore throat.