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Ebola Alert: Pakistan Intensifies Airport Screening
24 May
Summary
- Pakistan heightened airport screening amid Africa's Ebola outbreak.
- Three Red Cross volunteers died in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
- Uganda confirmed three new Ebola cases, bringing the total to five.
Pakistan has intensified screening measures at its airports and implemented other precautionary steps due to the recent Ebola virus outbreak in Africa. The health ministry has directed provinces and Border Health Services to remain vigilant.
While the outbreak is currently limited to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda, with 82 confirmed cases and seven deaths in the DRC, Pakistan's risk is assessed as extremely low. This assessment is based on limited travel connections between Pakistan and the affected countries.
In Uganda, three new cases have been confirmed, bringing the total to five, with one death. Tragically, three Red Cross volunteers have also died in the DRC after contracting Ebola while on duty in March.
The African Union's health agency has identified ten countries at risk, including Kenya and Rwanda, citing high mobility and insecurity as contributing factors to the spread.
Pakistan's National Institutes of Health (NIH) is continuously monitoring the situation with the WHO and has confirmed its capacity to diagnose Ebola. Health practitioners and hospital staff are also undergoing training to manage potential cases.
