ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has announced the immediate implementation of strict and enhanced health surveillance at all national entry points to prevent the possible spread of the Nipah virus across borders.
The decision comes amid growing regional concern after India reported two confirmed Nipah virus cases in December last year. In response, several countries including Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand, and Malaysia have also stepped up precautionary measures.
Nipah virus is a highly dangerous zoonotic disease transmitted by fruit bats and animals such as pigs. In humans, it can cause severe brain inflammation and fever, and it is capable of spreading through close person-to-person contact. With a fatality rate ranging from 40 to 75 percent and no approved vaccine or treatment available, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has classified Nipah as a priority pathogen due to its outbreak potential.
The Border Health Services–Pakistan (BHS-P), operating under the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination, issued an advisory following alerts from international and regional public health surveillance systems. The advisory highlighted suspected Nipah cases in West Bengal, India, stressing the urgent need to reinforce preventive and monitoring mechanisms at Pakistan’s borders.
According to the notification, the enhanced surveillance aims to ensure early detection, rapid response, and effective prevention of any cross-border transmission of the virus.
