ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has decided to enforce strict and enhanced health surveillance at all entry points across the country with immediate effect to prevent the cross-border transmission of the Nipah virus, authorities said on Wednesday.
The decision comes amid heightened regional concern after India confirmed two cases of the virus in December last year. Several countries, including Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand and Malaysia, have also stepped up preventive measures.
In this regard, the Border Health Services-Pakistan (BHS-P), an auxiliary department of the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination, issued an advisory citing regional alerts from international and regional public health surveillance systems, including the World Health Organisation’s South East Asia Region Epidemiological Bulletin.
The advisory said suspected cases of Nipah virus infection in India’s West Bengal, combined with the virus’s high fatality rate, zoonotic nature and potential for human-to-human transmission, necessitated strengthening surveillance and preventive measures at Pakistan’s borders.
Under the new instructions, strict health surveillance will be enforced at all international airports, seaports and land border crossings without exception. Authorities have directed 100 per cent screening of all arriving passengers, transit travellers, crew members, drivers and support staff.
No individual will be allowed entry into Pakistan without health clearance from BHS-P. Officials have also been instructed to verify travellers’ country of origin and complete travel and transit history for the preceding 21 days, regardless of nationality.
Travellers originating from or transiting through high-risk or affected regions will be subject to special vigilance. The advisory warned that any false declaration or concealment of travel history would be documented and reported for further action.
Thermal screening and clinical assessment have also been made mandatory. Screening staff have been asked to remain alert for symptoms such as fever, headache, respiratory issues and neurological signs, including confusion or altered consciousness.
Suspected cases will be immediately isolated at the point of entry and managed in line with infection prevention and control protocols. Such individuals will be referred to designated isolation facilities or tertiary care hospitals, while the relevant conveyance and surrounding areas will be disinfected.
The advisory further directed strict compliance with infection prevention measures, including the use of personal protective equipment, hand hygiene and environmental sanitation. Daily case or nil reports must be shared with the National Command and Operation Centre and the National International Health Regulation Focal Point.
Separately, the National Institute of Health (NIH) issued an alert to provincial health departments and healthcare providers, warning of a potential spillover risk despite no confirmed cases in Pakistan so far. The NIH noted that Nipah virus, which causes severe brain inflammation, has a fatality rate ranging from 40 to 75 per cent and has no approved vaccine or specific antiviral treatment.
Health experts said the risk of an outbreak in Pakistan remained low. Microbiologist Prof Dr Javaid Usman said the virus is transmitted through fruit bats and pigs, with human cases typically linked to exposure or close contact. Infectious disease expert Dr Rana Safdar added that while vigilance was necessary, there was no reason to panic as the likelihood of spread to Pakistan remained minimal.