Pakistan has declared a nationwide health emergency at airports and border crossings and tightened surveillance after Nipah virus cases were reported in India, triggering heightened vigilance across federal and provincial health authorities.
The Ministry of National Health Services, through Border Health Services, has ordered 100% screening of all incoming and transit passengers at airports, seaports, and land borders. The move follows reports of suspected and confirmed Nipah virus infections in India’s West Bengal, raising concerns over possible cross-border transmission.
According to the advisory, thermal screening and clinical assessments are now mandatory at all points of entry. Travelers must also provide their complete travel history for the past 21 days, particularly if they have visited or transited through Nipah-affected or high-risk regions. Any passenger showing symptoms will be immediately isolated, and entry will not be permitted without medical clearance.
Emergency Measures at Airports and Borders
Officials said the government has strengthened coordination with provincial health departments, airport authorities, and border agencies to ensure early detection and rapid response. Special monitoring has been introduced for travelers arriving from affected regions, while surveillance teams remain on standby nationwide.
Authorities have confirmed that no Nipah virus case has been detected in Pakistan so far, but emphasized that the preventive steps are critical due to the virus’s high fatality rate and history of regional outbreaks.
Also Read: Nipah Virus outbreak: Symptoms, risks, and safety measures explained
KP Issues Province-Wide Alert, Declares Public Health Emergency
Meanwhile, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Health Department has issued a province-wide alert to all public and private hospitals, declaring the situation a potential public health emergency.
Hospitals have been directed to:
- Establish isolation units
- Form district-level rapid response teams
- Strengthen border health surveillance
- Expand testing and diagnostic capacity
The Director of Public Health has been appointed as the provincial focal person for Nipah virus response and coordination. All suspected samples must be sent under strict biosafety protocols to the Department of Virology at the National Institute of Health (NIH), Islamabad, using triple-layer packaging and controlled temperatures.
Sindh Health Department on High Alert
The Sindh Health Department has also issued a precautionary advisory, instructing all government and private hospitals to remain on high alert and strictly follow federal health guidelines.
Officials confirmed that while no case has been reported in Sindh or elsewhere in Pakistan, hospitals must ensure early detection, timely reporting, and preparedness to prevent any potential outbreak.
What Is Nipah Virus? High Fatality, No Vaccine
Nipah virus is a rare but deadly zoonotic disease that spreads from animals—primarily fruit bats—to humans and can also transmit through human-to-human contact or contaminated food.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the virus carries a fatality rate of 40% to 75%, depending on healthcare capacity. Symptoms include:
- Fever and severe headache
- Cough and acute respiratory illness
- Vomiting and body aches
- In severe cases, fatal brain inflammation (encephalitis)
The incubation period typically ranges from 4 to 14 days, but can extend up to 45 days in some cases.
There is no licensed vaccine for Nipah virus yet. Treatment remains limited to supportive care and symptom management, though international organizations are funding vaccine trials.
Also Read: Pakistan orders strict screening over Nipah virus threat from India
Global Concern as Cases Rise in India
India has reported multiple Nipah cases, including infections among healthcare workers. Historically, outbreaks have occurred in Kerala, one of the world’s highest-risk regions for the virus. As of December 2025, there have been 750 confirmed Nipah infections globally, resulting in 415 deaths, according to the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI).
Several countries, including Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Nepal, have also intensified passenger screening amid fears of regional spread.
Public Advised to Stay Vigilant
Health authorities in Pakistan have urged citizens to remain calm but vigilant, follow official health advisories, and immediately report symptoms such as fever, breathing difficulty, or neurological signs, especially after recent international travel.
