In recent days, the number of new crown pneumonia outbreaks in the Middle East has spread. Not only has the number of confirmed diagnoses and deaths in Iran soared. On February 24, Bahrain, Kuwait, Iraq, Afghanistan and Oman successively announced the first diagnosis of new crown pneumonia cases in their country. Most cases are related to Iran.

Due to the varying medical standards and epidemic control capabilities in the Middle East, especially in some countries adjacent to Iran, which are still in conflict, with the spread of imported cases from Iran to the surroundings, the situation in the Middle East is not optimistic.

As of February 25, the number of confirmed cases of new coronary pneumonia in the Middle East has increased to nine. They are: Iran (95 cases), Bahrain (17 cases), UAE (13 cases), Kuwait (8 cases), Israel (6 cases), Iraq (5 cases), Oman (4 cases), Afghanistan (1 case) Lebanon (1 case)

Iran

Center for Outbreaks in the Middle East

Since Iran announced on February 19 that the first case of New Coronavirus has been confirmed, the outbreak in Iran is gradually worsening, and the number of confirmed cases and deaths has risen rapidly. On the 25th local time, Jahanpur, the director of the Public Relations and Information Center of the Ministry of Health of Iran, said that 34 new cases of new pneumonia were diagnosed in Iran, of which 16 came from Qom and 3 died. As of noon on the 25th, a total of 95 patients with new coronary pneumonia were diagnosed in Iran and 15 died. It is the country with the highest number of deaths outside China.

Qom City is the earliest outbreak in Iran. The city is located south of the Iranian capital Tehran. It is also a sacred Shiite city and a tourist city. As the epidemic broke out, many Shi'ite pilgrims from all over the world were visiting the shrines in Qom. At the same time, Iran is holding polls for the 11th parliamentary elections.

Iranian officials believe that a businessman brought the new crown virus to Qom City. Iran says a confirmed dead businessman in Qom City often traveled to China during his lifetime, and even after the suspension of flights between the two countries, the businessman was using indirect flights to and from the two places.

The Iranian outbreak has spread to at least four other cities in the past few days, including the capital Tehran. Iran has announced the closure of educational institutions in 14 provinces, including Tehran, while all movie theaters nationwide will be closed until Friday, and all cultural events, concerts and sports events will be cancelled.

The Iranian epidemic has spread to neighboring countries. On February 24, Bahrain, Kuwait, Iraq, Afghanistan and Oman successively announced the first confirmation of new crown virus cases in their country, almost all of which are related to Iran. The first confirmed case in Lebanon on February 21 also visited Iran, and the two newly diagnosed patients in the UAE on February 22 were also Iranian tourists.

Iran's growing epidemic has prompted some countries to close borders to Iran. Turkey, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Armenia said Sunday (23) that they will close their land borders against Iran.

Iraq, Kuwait and the UAE have issued travel bans on Iran. At the same time, Kuwait closed its border crossing with Iraq, because many people will arrive in Iraq from Iran before going to Kuwait. Saudi Arabia has ordered anyone who has traveled to Iran to be quarantined for at least 14 days before entering Saudi Arabia.

If the Iranian epidemic continues to develop, more countries may impose immigration and aviation restrictions on it.

Bahrain

There are currently 17 confirmed diagnoses, with the vast majority having Iranian travel history

The Ministry of Health of Bahrain for the first time announced the confirmed cases of new coronavirus in the country on February 24, and issued an announcement on the afternoon of the 25th, saying that nine new cases of new coronavirus infection in the country, including 7 Bahraini citizens and 2 Saudi citizens, were recently Transferred from the technical secondary school in Iran to the United Arab Emirates and arrived in Bahrain, a total of 17 new coronavirus infections have been confirmed in Bahrain. The announcement showed that the relevant patients have been sent to hospital for treatment, and the Ministry of Health of Bahrain will continue to strengthen medical testing and other measures for returnees from Bahrain to prevent the virus from spreading in Bahrain.

The Bahrain Ministry of Health said they had taken all necessary measures to deal with the situation. Currently, three public schools and a kindergarten in Bahrain are temporarily closed.

The Bahrain Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has announced that all flights arriving from Dubai and Sharjah will be suspended for 48 hours.

United Arab Emirates

13 cases were confirmed and 3 cases were cured

As of the morning of February 25, UAE confirmed cases have risen to 13 cases, including 2 Iranians, 2 Filipinos, 1 Indian, 1 Bangladeshi, and 7 Chinese, of which 3 Chinese nationals are currently They have fully recovered and 2 are in intensive care (1 Iranian and 1 Filipino).

The latest case report in the UAE was confirmed on February 22 and confirmed two new cases of coronavirus, including a 70-year-old Iranian tourist and his 64-year-old wife. Currently her husband's condition is "not ideal" and is being observed and treated in the hospital's intensive care unit (ICU).

On Monday (February 24), the UAE officially issued a travel ban on Iran and Thailand. All UAE citizens are urged not to travel to Iran and Thailand until further notice.

On February 25, the Bahrain Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) announced that all flights to Dubai and Sharjah in the UAE will be suspended for 48 hours.

Kuwait

8 cases confirmed, all National Day activities cancelled

The Kuwaiti Ministry of Health announced on February 24 that five people who have been to Iran have tested positive for a new coronavirus. This is also the first diagnosis of new crown virus in Kuwait. The Kuwaiti Ministry of Health issued a statement on the morning of the 25th, stating that after further medical examination of Iranian citizens returning to Kuwait, three new cases of new coronavirus infection were confirmed. As a result, the number of people infected with the new coronavirus in Kuwait has increased to eight.

Since the outbreak in Iran, Kuwait has evacuated 750 nationals from Iran since last Saturday (22nd).

Kuwait is arguably the fastest-preventing country in the Gulf. After the Iranian outbreak, Kuwait quickly issued a travel ban on Iran. At the same time, Kuwait closed its border crossing with Iraq, because many people will arrive in Iraq from Iran before going to Kuwait.

Yesterday (24th), the General Administration of Civil Aviation of Kuwait announced the suspension of flights to and from Korea, Thailand and Italy. As early as January 30, Kuwait adopted strict immigration control measures against Chinese citizens in response to the Chinese epidemic.

On February 25th, Kuwait's National Day, the Kuwaiti government has announced the cancellation of all National Day commemorative activities.

Israel

Six confirmed cases of "Princess Diamond" passenger

Israel confirmed the first case of new crown virus infection in the country on February 21. The patient was an Israeli citizen who had been quarantined on a Japanese "Diamond Princess" cruise. On February 24, Israel announced that another "diamond" "Princess" cruise passengers confirmed. Of the passengers on board the "Diamond Princess", a total of 15 Israelis, 4 of whom were treated in Japan after being diagnosed, and 11 others flew back to Israel.

The Israelis were quarantined at Sheba Hospital in the central town of Tel Hashomer for 14 days. On February 21 and 24. Two of them were diagnosed with the new crown virus.

In late January, the Israeli government has banned all flights from China from landing in Israel.

This month, the Israeli government also began to refuse entry to foreigners who have been to Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore or Thailand in the past two weeks.

Iraq

5 confirmed cases

On February 24, Iraq confirmed the country's first case of a new crown virus infection in Najaf city.

The head of the Najaf Health Department, Ridvan Kindi, said the infected person was an Iranian theology student who had entered Iraq before the Iraqi ban on entry of non-Iranians from Iran came into effect. The infected person has now been quarantined.

On February 25 local time, the Iraqi Ministry of Health issued a statement saying that four new cases of new coronavirus were confirmed in the northern city of Kirkuk. The four patients were from the same family and had recently traveled to Iran and returned. The ministry said the family had been quarantined before the diagnosis was made, and medical examinations by medical staff revealed that they were infected with the new coronavirus. Iraq is taking preventive measures in accordance with international standards, while strengthening health education and publicity to prevent further spread of the coronavirus.

Oman

4 confirmed cases

The Ministry of Health of Oman announced for the first time on February 24 that a confirmed case of neocoronavirus was found in the country, and the patients were two domestic women. Oman stated that they had recently visited Iran and are now in stable condition.

On the 25th, the Ministry of Health of Oman issued a statement confirming two new cases of confirmed new coronary pneumonia in the country. Both patients have been to Iran and are currently in stable condition. The Ministry of Health has not disclosed other information about the two patients.

Oman's Civil Aviation Authority (PACA) announced that it will suspend all flights to and from Iran starting on Monday (February 24), with further notice of the go-around time.

Earlier, there was news that Oman would implement compulsory quarantine for residents from the UAE and other affected countries for 14 days after entering the country, but then Omani officials said that it would not be implemented temporarily. The land borders of the UAE and Oman are currently unaffected.

Afghanistan

1 case has been confirmed, but the epidemic prevention capacity is insufficient

Yesterday (February 24), the country's first case of a coronavirus infection occurred in the province of Herat in the western province of Afghanistan. Subsequently, the Afghan government declared a state of emergency with the province bordering Iran.

Afghan Health Minister Ferozuddin Feroz told reporters that the confirmed case was a 35-year-old patient who had recently returned from the city of Qom, Iran.

Afghanistan is probably the country most likely to have a severe epidemic outside Iran because of its economic situation and poor medical care, Afghanistan's ability to defend against the epidemic is insufficient. Even the Afghan Health Minister expressed concern: "Because of the poor economic performance, many people in Afghanistan suffer from diseases themselves and their immune systems are weak."

Thousands of Afghans currently live in Iran. They often travel by car and public bus across the border to Iran to visit their families and find jobs there. This provides an opportunity for the spread of the virus.

Lebanon

1 confirmed case

Lebanese Health Minister Hassan confirmed the first coronavirus case in Lebanon on February 21, and two other suspected cases are under investigation.

Hassan said at a press conference in Beirut that the virus was found in a 45-year-old Lebanese woman who had come from Iran's Qom and added that she is in good health.

(Main Channel Reporter Wang Wei)