ISLAMABAD – Pakistan on Wednesday confirmed its first two cases of the novel Aurat March over a week before it is actually scheduled to march for women’s rights — the source of the outbreak.
On Thursday morning, Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Health Dr Zafar Mirza called on people who have experienced any ailments after coming into contact with any banners related to the Aurat March to call on the helpline.
“If you or somebody you know have recently seen the promotions of the upcoming march, or visited a social media page where topics related to women’s rights are prevalent, and if there are symptoms like fear, ego damage, belief deconstruct or breathing difficulty, please report by calling at 666,” he said.
Health experts maintain that the number of affectees are going to increase in the coming week and urge all citizens exercise the needed precaution. “However, there is no need to panic,” said Dr Mirza.
Experts further said that those affected are likely to pass on the disease to others.
“It’s a very alarming situation. Those affected are roaming around freely on social media during which they must have interacted with a lot of people,” said Dr Qaiser Sajjad of the Pakistan Medical Association, adding that all those people who had spent time – in the real world or virtual – with a person affected might also be at risk of contracting the disease.
