KARACHI: Health experts have warned citizens to adopt strict hygiene and preventive measures during Eid-ul-Adha to reduce the risk of zoonotic infections, foodborne illnesses, and environmental contamination linked to sacrificial animal handling and meat consumption during the festive days.
The warning was issued by Dr. Saman Nadeem, Consultant Clinical Microbiologist and Section Head of Microbiology at the National Medical Centre Karachi, while addressing a public awareness seminar titled “Hidden Infections Around Bakra Eid: A Clinical Microbiologist’s Public Health Perspective.”
Dr. Saman Nadeem, Consultant Clinical Microbiologist and Section Head of Microbiology at the National Medical Centre Karachi speaks at the public awarenss seminar
The seminar was organized by the Dr. Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research (PCMD), University of Karachi, and held at the LEJ National Science Information Center. The event was jointly organized with the Sindh Innovation, Research, and Education Network (SIREN) and attended by healthcare professionals, students, researchers, and members of the public.
Dr. Saman Nadeem said that while Eid-ul-Adha remains one of the most important religious occasions celebrated with devotion and sacrifice, the festival also brings increased public health risks due to unsafe slaughtering practices, poor hygiene, improper meat storage, and careless disposal of animal waste.
She noted that exposure to animal blood, fluids, and contaminated environments can increase the risk of zoonotic disease transmission, especially when veterinary precautions and sanitation measures are ignored.
“The safest Eid meal begins with hygiene, not spices,” Dr. Saman said.
She further warned that many families develop acute gastroenteritis during Eid holidays due to repeated thawing, reheating, and unsafe storage of meat over several days.
She explained that improper food handling practices can lead to bacterial contamination and food poisoning, particularly during hot weather conditions when meat is not refrigerated correctly.
The microbiologist also raised concerns over environmental pollution caused by the open disposal of animal waste near residential drainage systems, which contributes to increased fly activity, foul odors, and contamination of nearby water sources.
Dr. Saman further cautioned the public about the risk of Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) — a potentially fatal viral disease transmitted through tick bites or direct contact with infected animal blood and tissues.
Pakistan regularly reports CCHF concerns around Eid-ul-Adha due to increased movement and slaughter of livestock across urban centers.
To reduce health risks during Bakra Eid, she advised citizens to purchase healthy sacrificial animals from hygienic livestock markets, seek veterinary examination where possible, maintain personal hygiene, use designated slaughter areas, safely dispose of animal waste, and avoid unnecessary direct contact with animal fluids.
She also urged the public to avoid overeating and maintain a balanced diet during Eid holidays to prevent digestive and metabolic complications.
Earlier, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Raza Shah, Director of the International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS), delivered the welcome address and emphasized the importance of public awareness initiatives focused on preventive healthcare and community wellbeing.
Health experts at the seminar stressed that simple hygiene precautions, safe food practices, and responsible waste management can significantly reduce preventable infections during Eid-ul-Adha celebrations.
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