Pakistanis in China safe, healthy: FO

The Foreign Office said on Sunday that all Pakistani nationals in China are safe and there is no plan to evacuate them from the affected areas following the outbreak of novel Coronavirus in Wuhan, China, which has claimed more than 50 lives so far.

Responding to media queries, Foreign Office spokesperson Aisha Farooqui said that Pakistan's mission in China is in touch with local authorities constantly and at present there is no plan to evacuate Pakistanis from Wuhan.

"So far all Pakistani nationals are safe and healthy", she said, adding that the Chinese authorities are grappling with a challenge and doing their very best to prevent the spread of the virus.

In a statement, the Foreign Office said that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs 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, it added.

It stated that 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", it stated, adding that the community 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", it stated. Noting the increase in the number of cases and its human-to-human transmission, it stated the Ministry of Health of China has put additional measures to reduce the risks associated with the viral infection. "We laud the resolute efforts of Chinese authorities in dealing with the outbreak of the virus", it added.

Through the statement, Pakistani students and community members have been advised to regularly visit the Embassy's website www.pakbj.org. Those who are not yet registered are also being encouraged to register with the Embassy, online, it added.

For information and assistance, the following numbers can be contacted:

1. Zulfiqar Ali, Third Secretary, Embassy of Pakistan, Beijing, phone number: +8618501322992

2. Muhammad Junaid, Third Secretary, Embassy of Pakistan, Beijing, phone number: +8615652889195

According to reports, the death toll has risen to 56 on Sunday. Across the country, 688 new cases were diagnosed on Saturday, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 1,975, the Chinese authorities said early Sunday.

In the wake of the outbreak of Coronavirus in China, the National Institute of Health (NIH), Islamabad, has also issued advisory to departments concerned and for the general awareness of the public to enhance surveillance and vigilance for response in case of detection of the virus.

A recent surge of pneumonia cases, associated with the novel coronavirus, has been reported in China, it stated, adding that the situation has urged the neighbouring countries to enhance their surveillance and vigilance for response in case of detection. The NIH is accordingly monitoring the situation and will keep all stakeholders updated.

The advisory further stated that the objective of this advisory is to alert and sensitize the health staff at border posts as well as in healthcare institutions of Pakistan to stay vigilant about any suspected cases coming from affected areas for an early detection.

The information about the illness is summarized below: Infectious Agent: This pneumonia like illness is caused by a novel Coronavirus named by CDC-US, "2019-nCoV" of the family of Coronavirus.

Occurrence of cases: According to the preliminary epidemiological investigation, most cases have either worked at or were handlers and frequent visitors to the Huanan Seafood and Meat wholesale Market.

Mode of transmission: Recent evidences are highly suggestive that this is a zoonotic disease and primary causes of infections in human are through contact with infected animals, and animal products (needs to be confirmed).

Substantial evidences are also suggestive of human to human transmission as secondary infections (confirmed by Chinese authorities).

Clinical picture: Limited information is available to characterize the spectrum of clinical illness associated with 2019-nCoV. The observed clinical signs and symptoms of this illness include fever, cough, and difficulty in breathing. Chest radiographs showing invasive pneumonic infiltrates in both lungs.

The following should be suspected and investigated:

1. A person with severe acute respiratory infections (SARI) with history of fever and/or cough and/or difficulty breathing and with history of travel to Wuhan or any other affected area of China within last 15 days prior to symptom onset.

2. Individual with acute respiratory illness of any degree of severity with any of the following exposures; a. Close physical contact with a suspected or confirmed case while the case was symptomatic, in affected areas of China b. Direct contact with infected animals, seafood, meat or any other animal products in the markets of Wuhan City China, within 14 days before onset of illness.

Prevention and treatment: No vaccine or specific treatment for 2019-nCoV infection is available as yet. The patient care is mainly supportive.

Measures to be taken at all health facilities: Generally the same as for seasonal influenza. Ensure the standard precautions including hand and respiratory hygiene are being followed by using personal protective equipment (PPE). Cover nose and mouth with a mask/tissue during examination of suspected persons. Ensure hand hygiene after contact with respiratory secretions. Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces and objects, such as doorknobs.

Laboratory diagnosis and NIH support: Sample from suspected pneumonia caused by new coronavirus case should be collected by trained technician with full preventive measures using appropriate PPEs. Recommended samples for testing are nasopharyngeal and sputum samples. Test on patient sample present an extreme biohazard risk and should only be conducted under maximum biological containment conditions.

For any further assistance in this context, the Field Epidemiology & Disease Surveillance Division (FE&DSD) (051 - 9255237 and Fax No. 051-9255575) may be contacted.