Health authorities have stepped up their preparations against the Nipah virus, stepping up border controls and hospital preparations after neighboring India confirmed two infections, although authorities stress that no cases have been detected in the country and the overall risk remains low. A high-level preparation meeting titled “Nipah Virus: Prevention and Preparedness Measures” was held at the Ministry of National Health Services on Thursday, reflecting growing regional vigilance as several Asian countries step up surveillance measures. Chaired by Federal Health Secretary Hamed Yaqoob Shaikh, the meeting reviewed the national preparedness of federal health institutions, disease surveillance systems, Border Health Services (BHS) and major public hospitals in the federal capital. The officials were informed that on the instructions of Health Minister Syed Mustafa Kamal, all necessary mechanisms have been put in place to ensure early detection, rapid response and coordinated management of any suspected cases of Nipah virus. The President told the participants that although no Nipah virus infections have been detected in Pakistan, either in humans or animals, the ecological conditions in neighboring countries require sustained vigilance and preparation rather than complacency. Director-General of Health Dr Abdul Wali Khan informed the meeting that Nipah is a zoonotic virus with natural reservoirs in fruit bats and pigs, and that all outbreaks documented to date have occurred in Asian countries. He noted that fruit bats, recognized globally as the natural reservoir of the virus, are present in Pakistan, particularly in the northern and forest regions, but stressed that there is no scientific evidence of active circulation of Nipah in the country. Officials from the National Institute of Health (NIH) told the forum that the overall risk in Pakistan remains low, although it cannot be completely ruled out due to the presence of the animal reservoir and regional travel movements. NIH officials confirmed that Pakistan has adequate laboratory capacity and diagnostic kits to rapidly test suspected cases, adding that the lack of an approved vaccine or specific antiviral treatment makes early detection and isolation essential. BHS representatives informed participants that enhanced screening of incoming travelers is underway at airports and land crossings, including thermal screening and travel history assessment, particularly for passengers arriving from high-risk regions. Authorities noted that there were no direct flights between Pakistan and the country where the latest cases were reported, but transit history covering the previous 21 days is being examined as a precautionary measure. The preparedness of hospitals was also reviewed, with executive directors of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) and the Federal Government Polyclinic ensuring the availability of designated isolation facilities and trained staff to handle suspected cases. Health experts have reiterated that Nipah is a highly fatal disease, with past outbreaks showing mortality rates ranging from 40 to 75 percent, causing severe respiratory illness and encephalitis, although it is not easily transmitted between people.
Nipah virus: the government on alert but not alarmed
