Even as the state health department has said it has taken steps to check the spread of Crimean Congo Haemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) outbreak near Ahmedabad and drafted a protocol to be followed if cases are reported in Maharashtra, the developments have led to fear among residents in the western suburbs of Andheri, Jogeshwari and Goregaon, which are home to as many as 1,700 tabelas (cattle sheds) each of which house at least 150-200 cattle head.
“The virus causing CCHF is found in ticks, which do not get affected by the virus,” pointed out Arvindbhai Barot, a resident of Gondivli off the Western Express Highway in Andheri, and added, “Infected ticks transmit the virus to humans through a bite and an infected person can spread the virus to others through contact as the virus in present in bodily fluids and can be transmitted via the nasal passage.”
Pointing out to the sheds below his building, he said, “Imagine how susceptible we are. After living with assurances after every election that we will be rid of the smoke, the smell of dung, filth and squalour outside, authorities do not seem serious about helping us out. Now that this life threatening disease is knocking on our doors, will the civic administration wake up?”
His wife Jayaben said she had stopped sending her children to play in the compound because the cow sheds are not even a stone’s throw from the building. “When we came to stay here, the builder had said that the high court has ordered the tabelas out of the city. That was nearly five years ago,” she rued.
The Barots aren’t alone. A suburb away in Jogeshwari (West) the Syed family is also cynical about the government or the civic body doing anything. “If they go by the book, they need the excuse of a disease outbreak to thrown them out. But even with this new disease it is unlikely that any action will be taken,” said Arif Syed who has been leading the fight against the neighbouring tabela.
