Special Assistant to PM on health denies reports of coronavirus case in Pakistan

• "We expect responsible reporting by media," Mirza said.
• The EOC is on high alert and we’re closely communicating with the Chinese authorities, the SAPM said.

Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) Imran Khan on Health Dr Zafar Mirza has rejected media reports that a coronavirus case has been reported in Pakistan.

The SAPM took to his Twitter handle and called on the media not to add to nation’s anxiety about the Coronavirus. He further said that he expects responsible reporting by media and they should meticulously check facts before reporting.

173/ A part of media is INCORRECTLY reporting about diagnosis of a first case of novel corona virus in Pakistan. We expect responsible reporting by media. Please do not add to nation’s anxiety about nCoronavirus and should meticulously check facts before reporting. Thank you !!

— Zafar Mirza (@zfrmrza) January 25, 2020

He said that the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) is on high alert and are closely communicating with the Chinese authorities. "As of tonight, there are no suspected or confirmed cases of coronavirus in Pakistan. The EOC is on high alert and we’re closely communicating with the Chinese authorities. Leading domestic and international health experts are also mobilized in this work," he tweeted.

Pakistan on Thursday has started screening passengers coming from China at all airports.  In another tweet Mirza said that he himself visited Islamabad Airport to personally observe the work of the health workers. 

171/ In response to the #coronavirus outbreak, surveillance in all major entry points to Pakistan have been strengthened considerably. I visited Islamabad Airport tonight to personally observe the work of our health workers. pic.twitter.com/Zy4lPc6ad4

— Zafar Mirza (@zfrmrza) January 24, 2020

The virus in China has killed at least 25 people and infected more than 800. Most cases are in the central Chinese city of Wuhan, where the virus is believed to have originated in a market which traded in illegal wildlife.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has already declared the new coronavirus an emergency for China.