ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) - Pakistan’s Ministry of Health has issued an alert directing the National Institute of Health to take immediate precautionary measures after the World Health Organization declared Ebola a global public health emergency.
The ministry instructed the NIH to ensure preparedness, including maintaining laboratory testing kits for early detection. Border health authorities have also been placed on high alert, with enhanced screening of passengers arriving from Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo at airports.
Officials warned that early Ebola symptoms can resemble dengue fever, urging medical staff to remain extra vigilant. At the same time, the health ministry reassured the public that the situation in Pakistan is under control and there is no immediate cause for concern.
Meanwhile, African countries have reported around 300 suspected Ebola cases and 80 deaths. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has deployed response teams to support containment efforts.
According to the World Health Organization, 51 confirmed Ebola cases have been recorded in the Democratic Republic of Congo, along with nearly 600 suspected cases and 139 suspected deaths. WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the numbers are expected to rise as the virus may have been circulating undetected for some time before the outbreak was identified.