ISLAMABAD: The National Institutes of Health (NIH), Friday, denounced the rumours being spread on social media regarding the arrival of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in Pakistan.

“NIH clarifies that no suspected case of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), is reported in Pakistan. Moreover, Pakistan is not facing [a] direct threat of Ebola cases. The news circulating on social media about Ebola cases is incorrect,” the NIH saidin a statement.

Keeping in view the situation in Uganda during the last month, the NIH advised trade and travel organisations, including the Central Health Establishment (CHE) and Border Health Services, to remain vigilant and monitor passengers travelling from outbreak-affected countries.

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), EVD is "a rare and deadly disease in people and nonhuman primates". The viruses that cause EVD are located mainly in sub-Saharan Africa. EVD is transmitted through direct contact with an infected animal (bat or nonhuman primate) or a person infected with the Ebola virus.

Moreover, the NIH has reported 62 fresh coronavirus cases in the country in the past 24 hours after 11,953 Covid-19 tests were conducted which reflects that the Covid-19 positivity ratio in Pakistan has dropped to 0.53 percent.

According to Covid-19 data, in the past 24 hours, no Covid-19 death was reported in the country. Moreover, at present, there are 30 Covid-19 patients in critical condition admitted in various Covid-19 dedicated health centres.

Since the start of Covid-19, Pakistan has registered a total of 1,573,278 Covid-19 cases and over 30,600 deaths. According to the NIH, at present, there are some 3,470 active Covid-19 cases in the country.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2022