Pakistan on High Alert as Nipah Virus Raises Fears of Deadly Spread

The federal government has issued a nationwide health alert over the possible risk of the Nipah virus reaching Pakistan, instructing all relevant authorities to implement strict preventive measures at airports, seaports and land borders. Border Health Services has warned that the Nipah virus is a highly dangerous zoonotic disease that can spread from animals to humans and through human-to-human transmission, with a notably high fatality rate, making early detection and containment essential.

As part of precautionary steps, enhanced surveillance and screening have been ordered at all international entry points across the country. All arriving passengers, including transit travelers, will undergo thermal screening and medical assessment, while crews of international flights, ships and buses will also be examined before clearance. Authorities have been directed to verify the travel history of passengers for the previous 21 days, with special monitoring for those arriving from countries reporting Nipah virus cases. Any false declaration of travel history will be formally documented.

Incoming aircraft, ships and buses will be disinfected using germicidal sprays, and any suspected Nipah patient will be immediately isolated and restricted from onward travel. Designated hospitals and isolation centers will be used for suspected and confirmed cases to prevent further spread.

Officials have been advised to watch for symptoms such as fever, headache, breathing difficulties and drowsiness, and warned that negligence in screening or surveillance will be treated seriously. Daily reports of suspected and confirmed cases at entry points will be maintained and shared with the National Command and Operation Centre.

The advisory also notes that global health authorities have raised concerns after suspected cases were reported in India’s West Bengal, stressing that continuous surveillance, timely diagnosis and strict preventive measures are critical to stopping the virus from entering and spreading within Pakistan.