The World Health Organization has classified the recent Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda as a global emergency, and Pakistani health officials say the current spread remains limited to those African countries. The ministry’s spokesperson reiterated that, according to WHO, no cases have been reported outside Africa and Pakistan has never recorded an Ebola case, keeping the immediate risk to the country very low.
Ebola alert prompted WHO to advise increased surveillance while explicitly not recommending travel bans. In response, Federal Minister for Health Mustafa Kamal ordered pre-emptive measures across Pakistan to strengthen preparedness and protect public health.
The Ministry of National Health Services and the National Institute of Health are maintaining continuous monitoring of the situation in collaboration with WHO. NIH Pakistan confirmed it has diagnostic capacity for Ebola, and federal directives have made airport screening and surveillance more effective nationwide to detect any potential importation early.
Authorities have instructed all provinces and border health services to remain on high alert and to ensure implementation of International Health Regulations. The ministry emphasized that limited travel links with the affected African countries mean the likelihood of case importation to Pakistan is extremely low, but recommended that travellers to affected African nations review local travel and medical guidance before departure.
In Geneva, Minister Mustafa Kamal met Dr Chris Elias, Chair of the Polio Oversight Board, to discuss Pakistan’s ongoing health cooperation with the Gates Foundation and progress on polio eradication. Dr Elias praised recent advances and Pakistan’s integrated strategy under the minister’s leadership, while the Gates Foundation reiterated continued support for vaccine availability and polio elimination efforts. Dr Elias is expected to visit Pakistan in July.
The federal health ministry said coordinated vaccination quality campaigns and a focused eradication plan remain a national priority, and that the government values international partnerships that bolster Pakistan’s capacity to respond to public health challenges while ensuring routine reforms in the health sector continue under the prime minister’s vision.
