FO squashes rumours as coronavirus sets off scare

Govt to install thermo scanners at major airports to screen travellers

ISLAMABAD: The growing coronavirus scare has sent rumour mills into overdrive. And the Foreign Office was quick to clarify on Sunday that over 500 Pakistani community members, mostly students, in Wuhan, and in other parts of China, “are all safe” from the novel virus which has killed dozens of people in China.

As a precautionary measure, the government has, meanwhile, decided to install thermo scanners at all major airports of the country, including at the Wagah border crossing, to screen travellers in an effort to contain the fast-moving virus.

Coronaviruses are transmitted by animals and people, and the novel strain has been linked to a market in Wuhan that soled seafood and live animals – including wild species. The Chinese government announced on Sunday that it's banning all sales of wild animals.

The respiratory virus has claimed 56 lives in China so far and has infected hundreds of other people in China and been detected as far away as the United States.

“This ministry and the Pakistan Embassy in China are actively monitoring the situation of coronavirus outbreak in Wuhan, China. The Embassy in Beijing and other sub-Missions in China are also in touch with the Pakistani community as well as Chinese authorities,” Foreign Office spokesperson Aisha Farooqui said in a statement.

“Over 500 students and other community members in Wuhan, and in other parts of China, are safe. There is no report of infection in any Pakistani community member thus far,” she added.

The Pakistani diaspora has been reassured of full support and requested to follow health protocols issued by the Chinese authorities and stay indoors. “The current situation calls for greater patience and perseverance,” the spokesperson said.

Earlier in the day, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Health Dr Zafar Mirza said there was no report of any confirmed coronavirus case from any part of the country.

In a statement, Dr Mirza said the reports about cases in Multan were inaccurate and that utmost vigilance was being maintained. “An Emergency Operation Cell at the federal health ministry has been monitoring the situation round the clock.”

He said as per standard guidelines and procedures any traveller from China having flu-like symptoms has to be isolated and monitored. "Let me assure the people that the government is closely monitoring the situation and all necessary measures are being taken to screen all travellers from China."

He said thermo scanners and thermo guns have been provided to well-trained health staff at the airports in Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad to screen all passengers. Separately, a special dedicated team has been assigned for screening of passengers arriving via flights from China.

As a precautionary measure, Dr Mirza said, China has closed its outbound direct flights to Pakistan due to Chinese spring festival. According to the current schedule, South China Airline flights will resume on Jan 29 and China Airlines flights will resume on Feb 3.

He said instructions have been given to all major hospitals to make arrangements to receive possible cases and provide them necessary care. "We have established contacts with all provincial chief ministers, provincial health departments and relevant ministries, including Interior, dealing with immigration, aviation division and National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to ensure there is seamless coordination and that our efforts are synergised, timely and effectively."

Considering that there will be heavy influx of travellers from China after Feb 8, 2020, when the celebrations of Chinese New Year conclude, all relevant authorities have been asked to carry out robust surveillance for screening at the points of entry at Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi airports alongside seaports and land crossings, raising public awareness and ensuring hospital preparedness for management of potential cases, Dr Mirza added.

“I am personally monitoring the situation and we are meeting every 48 hours with heads of hospitals, health institutions and all relevant departments to review the situation and take necessary measures for optimal level of preparedness and mitigation in the event we have a suspected case. We are establishing a help-line to be functional from Wednesday for information on the disease and to respond to queries."

He said there is absolutely no cause for panic or alarm. “People need to take simple precautions for the prevention against common flu like covering the nose and mouth while coughing and sneezing, frequent hand washing for 20 seconds with soap, avoiding close contact with sick people, avoid contact with animals, avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands,” he added.

He said novel coronavirus is a new respiratory virus first identified in Wuhan, Hebei Province of China. The facility to confirm the new virus through a laboratory test is only available in a few countries of the world.

However, the National Institute of Health (NIH) in Islamabad is fully equipped to isolate coronaviruses closely related to the novel strain and thus the virus can be confirmed by excluding other types. "We are in touch with Chinese authorities and kits to test for novel coronavirus will be received in a few days."

He said novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) with animal origin identified as the cause of this outbreak has to date caused at least 2,000 cases and 56 deaths in China. Other countries, including Thailand, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, the United States, France, and Australia have also reported a few confirmed cases with travel history to China.

He said there was no vaccination or specific antiviral treatment for this respiratory illness. Currently, there is no recommendation for restricting international travel or trade.

 

With additional input from APP