Pakistan has rolled out strict health screening measures at all entry points following the confirmation of two deadly Nipah virus cases in India\u2019s West Bengal, as regional authorities race to prevent the spread of the highly lethal disease.<\/p>\n
In a health advisory, the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination ordered that no traveller will be allowed to enter Pakistan without clearance from Border Health Services\u2013Pakistan. The move follows a regional alert issued through international public health surveillance systems, including the WHO South-East Asia Region Epidemiological Bulletin of January 2026.<\/p>\n
Classified by the World Health Organisation as a priority pathogen, Nipah virus poses a major outbreak risk due to its rapid transmission potential, high fatality rate of 40% to 70%, and the absence of an approved vaccine or cure.<\/p>\n
To curb cross-border transmission, the ministry has directed enhanced surveillance at all points of entry \u2014 international airports, seaports, and land crossings. Authorities have been instructed to conduct 100% screening of passengers, transit travellers, crew members, drivers, helpers, and support staff. All travellers will have their country of origin and complete 21-day travel history verified, with special focus on those arriving from high-risk or affected areas.<\/p>\n
Thermal screening and clinical assessments will be mandatory, with health staff remaining alert for symptoms such as fever, headaches, respiratory issues, and neurological signs including confusion or drowsiness. Any suspected cases will be isolated immediately and referred to designated hospitals, while affected conveyances and surrounding areas will be disinfected under approved protocols.<\/p>\n
The ministry also stressed strict adherence to infection prevention and control measures, including the use of personal protective equipment, hand hygiene, and environmental sanitation, warning that any lapse would be treated as serious negligence. Daily reports from all points of entry will be shared with the National Command and Operation Centre and the National IHR Focal Point, with the measures remaining in force until further notice.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand, and Malaysia have also stepped up airport temperature checks and screening procedures in response to the outbreak in India.<\/p>\n
Nipah virus is a rare but often deadly infection that primarily spreads from animals \u2014 especially fruit bats \u2014 to humans, though limited human-to-human transmission has been recorded. First identified in Malaysia in 1999, it has since caused small, recurring outbreaks, mainly in Bangladesh and India. As of December, about 750 cases had been reported globally, resulting in 415 deaths.<\/p>\n
Symptoms typically begin with fever, headaches, and muscle pain, and can progress to acute encephalitis, severe respiratory distress, seizures, and coma in extreme cases. While most survivors recover fully, some experience lasting neurological complications.<\/p>\n
Health experts say that although Nipah is highly dangerous, it has not yet shown signs of becoming easily transmissible among humans or spreading globally. However, the WHO continues to regard it as a serious public health threat, particularly in regions where outbreaks recur.<\/p>\n
Currently, no approved vaccine or treatment exists, though several candidates are under development, including a vaccine by Oxford University researchers that entered phase II trials in Bangladesh in December with support from the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations.<\/p>\n
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Pakistan has rolled out strict health screening measures at all entry points following the confirmation of two deadly Nipah virus cases in India\u2019s West Bengal, as regional authorities race to prevent the spread of the highly lethal disease. In a health advisory, the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination ordered that no traveller …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":50881,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[26],"tags":[81],"class_list":["post-50880","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-south-asia","tag-headline"],"yoast_head":"\n