Coronavirus Behind Iran’s Western Borders; Full Alert Declared in Kermanshah

Iranian officials, citing reports of “coronavirus cases observed in Kurdistan Region of Iraq,” say the coronavirus has reached behind the country’s western borders.

Ibrahim Shakiba, head of Kermanshah Province’s Health Center, announced on Thursday, February 29, that all forces and health and medical centers in the province are on full alert, saying that monitoring at the border has been intensified and all passengers entering Iran are being examined.

Previously, images were released showing inspection of passengers at the entrance to Imam Khomeini International Airport, which was non-standard and failed to observe safety protocols by officials, drawing considerable criticism.

This official told ISNA that concerns about the disease entering the country relate to cases where individuals show no symptoms but can transmit the disease.

Official sources have not yet confirmed the presence of coronavirus in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. However, Iran’s Ministry of Health had previously announced in a statement that “the coronavirus has approached Iran’s borders, the observation of infection cases in the UAE, Kurdistan Region and suspected cases in Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and … suggests the imminent possibility of coronavirus entering Iran.”

Reports indicate that the death toll from coronavirus in China has increased to 170 people and the number of infected has exceeded 7,000.

Currently, to prevent the spread of this virus, China has quarantined all cities in Hubei Province, including Wuhan, the epicenter of the disease.

Source: Voice of America