Intensified COVID-19 Surveillance under new alert level system at the Mirjaveh-Pakistan border crossing amid the spread of Omicron Variant

On November 26, 2021,  the World Health Organization (WHO) classified a new variant, B.1.1.529,  as a Variant of Concern, and has named it Omicron. The variant was first identified in South Africa and Botswana, and cases of this variant have been identified in more than 85 nations to date. It is spreading rapidly in several countries, including Britain, Denmark and Norway.

Report from: Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Vice Chancellery for Health
Published on: 25 December 2021

On November 26, 2021,  the World Health Organization (WHO) classified a new variant, B.1.1.529,  as a Variant of Concern, and has named it Omicron. The variant was first identified in South Africa and Botswana, and cases of this variant have been identified in more than 85 nations to date. It is spreading rapidly in several countries, including Britain, Denmark and Norway.

According to International Health Regulations (IHR), in-coming and Pakistan-bound travellers are screened for infectious diseases included in the Iran"s Ministry of Health syndromic surveillance system, at Mirjaveh-Pakistan border crossing. All travelers with signs and/or symptoms of illness will receive a more comprehensive medical assessment and rapid COVID 19 testing, if needed. Following the report of detection of cases of Omicron mutant virus in neighboring countries, the COVID-19 disease surveillance system has been intensified at the Mirjaveh border terminal.

Dr. Seyed Mehdi Tabatabaei, Vice Chancellor for Health of Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, during his visit to Mirjaveh Border Terminal, said: "COVID-19 Disease Surveillance and public health care measures have been intensified on all border-crossings, especially at the Mirjavah border terminal."

He said: "According to the International Health Regulations (IHR), all passengers take a second COVID-19 PCR test on arrival in the Islamic Republic of Iran, and until the test results are announced, these travellers are planned to be stationed at the Imam Reza (AS) Pilgrim House set up by Astan Quds Razavi." He added:" If the test result is negative, permission to enter the country is issued and if the test is positive, they will be returned to the country of origin".

He continued: "According to the decision of the National COVID-19 Headquarters, since the beginning of October, more than 6,500 PCR tests have been taken from Pakistani travelers and pilgrims who entered the territory of the Islamic Republic of Iran through the Mirjavah border terminal."

Dr. Tabatabaei added: "During the last 6 months, more than 11,000 truck drivers who passed through the Mirjavah border terminal were screened, and upon their arrival, a rapid COVID-19 diagnosis test was taken."