HERAT (SW) – Herat health officials have reported at least three suspected cases of coronavirus.
The Ministry of Public Health confirmed that it has received samples of the suspects.
Dr. Nazir Ahmad Dehgan, head of the disease control committee at the Herat health department, said that the three suspects recently returned from Iran. According to officials from the Herat department of Health, 36 other people, who just returned from Qom, Iran, are being held in quarantine.
The Ministry of Public Health organized an urgent meeting to fight and prevent the transmission of the virus to the country after the Iranian media announced the death toll of 10 victims in the city of Qom.
The Afghan embassy in Tehran also issued a statement saying it would suspend the provision of consular services until the situation improved.
Health officials in Herat province say the health minister has instructed officials at the air ports and border areas to take measures to prevent the virus from spreading.
A few days ago, the Ministry of Health announced the deployment of health teams in the border regions and provinces with Iran.
Since the outbreak of the Corona virus in China, the death toll has exceeded 2,000. In less than a month, more than 6,000 people worldwide have been infected with the virus, with 5% of the victims being Chinese citizens, according to international media.
The Minister of Public Health sought urgent help from the World Health Organization to combat the outbreak.
ENDS
