Coronavirus behind Iran's western borders; "Full readiness" declared in Kermanshah
Iranian officials, citing reports of "observation of cases of the coronavirus in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region," say that the coronavirus has reached the country's western borders.
Ebrahim Shakiba, head of the Kermanshah Provincial Health Center, announced on Thursday, February 1, that all health and medical centers in the province are on full alert, and said that surveillance at the border has been intensified and all travelers entering Iran are being screened.
Previously, images of passengers being screened at the entrance to Imam Khomeini International Airport were published, which drew much criticism for the lack of standards and the officers' failure to observe safety precautions.
The official told ISNA that concerns about the disease entering the country are related to cases where people do not show symptoms but can be carriers of the disease.
Official sources have not yet confirmed the observation of the coronavirus in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region. However, the Iranian Ministry of Health had previously announced in a statement that "the coronavirus has approached Iran's borders, and the observation of cases in the UAE, the Kurdistan Region, and suspected cases in Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, etc. indicate the imminent possibility of the coronavirus entering Iran."
Reports indicate that the number of coronavirus victims in China has increased to 170 and the number of infected people has exceeded 7,000.
China has currently quarantined all cities in Hubei province, including Wuhan, the epicenter of the outbreak, to prevent the spread of the virus.
Source: Voice of America
