Zahedan University of Medical Sciences boosting the implementation of the International Health Regulations (IHR) at Iran- Pakistan border to control the spread of COVID-19

Zahedan University of Medical Sciences boosting the implementation of the International Health Regulations (IHR) at Iran- Pakistan border to control the spread of COVID-19 Coronavirus

Report from: Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Vice Chancellery for Health
Published on: 1 March 2020

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses which may cause illness in animals or humans. In humans, several coronaviruses are known to cause respiratory infections ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). The most recently discovered coronavirus causes coronavirus disease COVID-19.

The outbreak of coronavirus first detected in December 2019 in Wuhan, China has taken the world by surprise and confirmed our shared global vulnerability to the appearance of new pathogens, in particular airborne viruses that spread easily through travel and social proximity. As of 29 February 2020, globally more than 85403 cases have been reported with more than 2924 deaths, and the figures keep increasing every day. As of the same date, about 6009 cases have also been reported from 53 countries other than China (including 388 confirmed cases from Iran and 2 cases from pakitsan), with 86 reported deaths Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) Situation Report – 40).

Islamic Republic of Iran has adopted the International Health Regulations (2005) since 2012, as the sole binding global legal instrument dedicated to the prevention and control of the international spread of disease. In order to implement the IHR 2005, Islamic republic of Iran has taken a dynamic approach with a focus on surveillance, risk assessment and response to achieve and maintain a set of core capacities in the national health systems in order to promptly detect, notify and respond to public health risks and emergencies.

Every year, large number Pakistani nationals, including of Imam Hussein (PBUH) lovers and Shiites, cross the Iranian border through the Mile 72 Border Terminal, located 10 kilometers from Mirjaveh. After one or two days stop in Imam Reza (AS) Pilgrim House in the city of Zahedan, they depart to Holy cities of Qom and Mashhad.

Given the global spread of coronvairus disease, the implementation of International Health Regulations (IHR) was boosted by Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, with an emphasis on the implementation of surveillance of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) based on the Iranian Ministry of Health and WHO guidelines at all the border crossings, including Iran-Pakistan border. All the travelers are being screening by medical teams for coronavirus disease, and "COVID-19 Health Certificates" have been issued for travelers with no signs & symptoms of coroniavirus disease. So far, more than 2393 Pakistani travelers and pilgrims have been screened and issued with health certificates.