Govt toughens airport screening amid Ebola outbreak

According to a handout, the ministry said the spread of the Ebola virus outbreak was limited to the Dem­ocratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda, and the risk to Pakistan was “extremely low” due to limited travel links with the affected countries. It added that Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal had directed authorities to implement precautionary screening protocols at all airports to prevent the possible spread of the virus. The ministry further stated that the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the WHO office in Pakistan were continuously monitoring the situation. The ministry directed all provinces and the Border Health Services to remain on alert. It 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 the WHO had recommended enhanced precautionary surveillance measures, but not advised any travel restrictions. “No Ebola case has ever been reported in Pakistan or its neighbouring countries,” the ministry said. It added that citizens travelling to African countries had been advised to review the relevant travel and health advisories issued by those countries before departure. Ebola is a deadly viral disease that spreads through direct contact with bodily fluids. It can cause severe bleeding and organ failure. There are no approved vaccines or therapeutics for the Bun­dib