Islamabad: Pakistan has hinted at working with neighbouring countries, including India, to deal with the novel coronavirus outbreak, which has now spread to over 100 countries and has been declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO).

The number of coronavirus cases both from India and Pakistan were 76 and 20, respectively, but the WHO and health experts warned that the pandemic could spread quickly if adequate measures were not in place to contain it. India on Thursday reported its first death from the disease.

Responding to a question at her weekly news briefing as to whether Pakistan would work with neighbouring countries including India to contain the virus, Foreign Office spokesperson Aisha Farooqui said Islamabad was ready to extend assistance to neighbours, reports The Express Tribune.

"The government of Pakistan is monitoring the situation very closely and will take measures required for the citizens within Pakistan and any assistance we can provide to our neighbouring countries," the spokesperson added.