Baku, Azerbaijan, June 18
By Khalid Kazimov – Trend:
Iran’s red meat market has reportedly slumped due to concerns over the spreading Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) which has afflicted dozen of Iranians in the past weeks.
According to the Iranian media reports, the mutton prices have declined by about $0.5 (20,000 rials) over the past week as the consumers appear reluctant to purchase red meat.
The widespread tick-borne viral disease has caused a 50 percent fall in red meat trades in the northwestern city of Hamedan as well as a 40 percent plunge in the volume of trades in the northern city of Qaemshahr.
Iranian officials have so far confirmed that the virus has infected at least 38 killing three in the country.
However, the health officials have said that the situation is under control with the Veterinary Organization adopting stronger measures against the CCFH virus in hotspots for the virus including five provinces of Sistan-Baluchestan, Hormozgan, Kermanshah, Isfahan and Mazandaran.