ISLAMABAD: The spread of the deadly Ebola originating in African countries has raised global concern, with the World Health Organization describing the outbreak as a serious public health threat.
Federal Ministry of Health has initiated precautionary measures in response to the potential risk and directed the National Institute of Health(NIH) to ensure the availability of laboratory testing kits and strengthen preparedness systems.
Authorities have also instructed Border Health Services to remain on high alert and intensify screening of passengers arriving from Uganda and Democratic Republic of the Congo at all major airports.
Health officials said Ebola hemorrhagic fever shares symptoms with dengue, urging medical staff to exercise extreme caution while handling suspected cases.
According to officials from Pakistan’s federal health ministry, the situation in the country remains fully under control and there is no immediate cause for concern.
Meanwhile, more than 300 suspected cases and several deaths have been reported in affected African regions.
A response team from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has also been deployed to assist containment efforts in the outbreak zones.
More read, DR Congo Ebola crisis deepens as fatalities reach 131
Earlier, the death toll from an Ebola outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo has risen to 131, with health authorities reporting a rapid spread of the virus across affected regions.
According to international media reports, at least 26 additional deaths have been confirmed in recent days, underscoring growing concerns over containment efforts in the Central African nation.
World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the rapidly spreading Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda a global health emergency, issuing an urgent alert as deaths and infections continue to rise in parts of Central and East Africa.
