Pakistan has tightened airport screening across the country following the Ebola outbreak in Africa.
Health Minister Mustafa Kamal has directed authorities to implement precautionary screening protocols at all airports to prevent the possible spread of the virus.
The ministry added that the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) office in Pakistan were continuously monitoring the situation.
The ministry directed all provinces and the Border Health Services to remain on alert. The ministry also noted that Pakistan possessed the capacity to diagnose Ebola and said directives had been issued to ensure all necessary arrangements and preparedness measures were in place.
It said that the WHO has recommended enhanced precautionary surveillance measures, but has not advised any travel restrictions.
It is pertinent to mention that no Ebola case has ever been reported in Pakistan or its neighboring countries.
Earlier, the WHO advised that Congo and Uganda establish emergency operation centres to monitor, trace, and implement infection-prevention measures.
It is pertinent to mention that there is no proven cure for Ebola, with the average fatality rate being around 50 per cent, according to the WHO.
Symptoms of Ebola disease
- Fever
- Headache
- Weakness and fatigue
- Sore throat
- Unexplained bleeding
- Gastrointestinal Symptoms
- Loss of appetite
Note: Ebola spreads exclusively through direct contact with the blood or body fluids of an infected, symptomatic person or animal.
Ebola disease is caused by a group of viruses, known as orthoebolaviruses (formerly ebolavirus). These viruses can cause serious illness that, without treatment, can cause death. Orthoebolaviruses were discovered in 1976 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and are found primarily in sub-Saharan Africa.
Earlier, a cruise ship was hit by hantavirus. Recently, a Canadian passenger who travelled on the cruise ship MV Hondius has tested positive for the disease.
