Nipah Virus: Pakistan on alert over risk of deadly virus spread

ISLAMABAD: The federal government has issued a nationwide health alert amid fears of a possible spread of the deadly Nipah virus (NiV) to Pakistan, directing all relevant authorities to adopt strict preventive measures at the country’s entry points, ARY News reported.

Border Health Services (BHS) has circulated a detailed advisory warning that the Nipah virus is a highly dangerous zoonotic virus that can spread from animals to humans and also transmit from one person to another. The advisory notes that the virus carries a high fatality rate, making early detection and containment critical.

Strict Screening and Surveillance Across Pakistan

In view of the potential Nipah virus threat, the government has decided to enforce enhanced surveillance at airports, seaports, and land crossings. All passengers arriving from abroad, including transit travelers, will undergo thermal screening and medical checks for virus symptoms. Crews of international flights, ships, and buses will also be screened before being cleared for entry.

The advisory instructs verification of the travel history of all incoming passengers for the past 21 days. Special monitoring will be carried out for travelers arriving from countries affected by the Nipah virus, while any false declaration regarding travel history will be formally recorded.

Authorities have also ordered disinfection of incoming aircraft, ships, and buses using germicidal sprays. Suspected Nipah patients will be immediately isolated and denied permission to continue onward travel. Dedicated hospitals and isolation centers will be designated for suspected and confirmed cases.

Nipah Virus Symptoms

Symptoms highlighted include fever, headache, breathing difficulties, and drowsiness. Officials have been warned that any lapse in screening or surveillance will be treated as serious negligence. Daily records of suspected and confirmed cases at entry points will be maintained and shared with the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC).

The advisory further notes that the World Health Organization (WHO) has also issued warnings regarding the Nipah virus, with suspected cases recently reported in India’s West Bengal. Authorities stress that effective screening, timely diagnosis, and continuous surveillance are essential to prevent the virus from entering and spreading within the country.