No direct threat of Ebola in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: The National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Islamabad indicated that no suspected Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) cases had been recorded in Pakistan.

Ebola cases do not directly threaten Pakistan, the NIH confirmed, adding that rumours spreading on social media about the existence of the deadly virus in the nation were false.

NIH recommended trade and travel organizations, including the Central Health Establishment (CHE) and Border Health Services, to remain attentive and monitor travellers travelling from outbreak-affected countries in light of the situation in Uganda over the past month.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of the United States, EVD is "an uncommon and fatal disease that affects both humans and nonhuman primates."

EVD-causing viruses are primarily found in sub-Saharan Africa. The Ebola virus is transmitted through direct contact with an infected animal (bat or nonhuman monkey) or an infected human.