Following the rise in Ebola cases in Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda, the Government of Pakistan has further strengthened surveillance at airports across the country to prevent the spread of the virus.
The World Health Organization has declared the Ebola situation in Congo and Uganda a global health emergency.
According to the spokesperson for the Ministry of Health, the Ebola outbreak remains limited to the African countries of Congo and Uganda, as the WHO has stated that no Ebola case has so far been reported in any country outside Africa.
The Health Ministry spokesperson said that due to limited travel links with the affected African countries, the risk to Pakistan remains extremely low, while no Ebola case has ever been reported in Pakistan or neighboring countries.
The spokesperson added that the Ministry of Health and the National Institute of Health are continuously monitoring the situation, and surveillance at airports across the country has been made more effective to prevent Ebola.
The Health Ministry spokesperson said that the World Health Organization has directed countries to increase precautionary surveillance, however no travel restrictions have been recommended.
The spokesperson further stated that the Health Minister has decided to take preventive measures in view of the spread of the virus, while effective steps are being ensured to protect the public from epidemics. Authorities are also ensuring implementation of international regulation recommendations. The NIH has the capability to diagnose Ebola, and health department officials are continuously monitoring the situation.
