Pakistan's medical authorities are on alert to combat the possible spread of coronavirus from China due to frequent visits of Chinese workers employed on various projects in the country.
The coronavirus, which was first reported in Wuhan, has already killed 17 people in China and infected more than 541 and reports of it spreading to other Asian countries have also begun to emerge.
The health ministry on Thursday directed the officials to be on tiptoes while establishing an emergency operation cell to monitor the situation.
Though, there was not case of the infection detected so far but Pakistan was taking steps before time to control the situation in case of any outbreak.
Special Assistant to Prime Minister Imran Khan on Health, Dr Zafar Mirza, chairing a meeting of senior officials on Wednesday discussed the measures and a response mechanism after the recent cases of coronavirus in China, The Express Tribune reported.
"I am writing to all chief ministers to ensure necessary arrangements in all the provinces," said Mirza.
"I am establishing contact with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) while we will also be working closely with the Embassy of China in Pakistan to deal with the crisis."
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