ISLAMABAD (Web Desk/Reuters) – Pakistan on Wednesday ordered “strict and enhanced health surveillance” at all points of entry to prevent the cross-border transmission of Nipah virus.
The decision follows the confirmation of two cases in India’s West Bengal in December 2025. The measures apply immediately to international airports, seaports, and land border crossings.
The advisory, issued by Border Health Services–Pakistan (BHS-P) under the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination, cited alerts from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and regional surveillance mechanisms. It noted the virus’s high fatality rate, zoonotic nature, and potential for human-to-human transmission.
“No individual shall be allowed entry into Pakistan without health clearance by BHS-P,” the advisory emphasised. The instructions cover all arriving passengers, transit travellers, crew members, drivers, helpers, and support staff.
Entry screening
The health ministry has mandated 100% screening for all travellers. Each individual must provide a complete travel and transit history for the preceding 21 days, irrespective of nationality or status. Special attention will be paid to passengers arriving from or transiting through Nipah-affected regions. False declarations or concealment of travel history will be documented and reported immediately.
Travellers are also required to undergo thermal screening and clinical assessment at entry points. Screening personnel have been instructed to look for early symptoms of Nipah virus infection, including fever, headache, respiratory issues, confusion, drowsiness, or other neurological signs. Suspected cases will be immediately isolated, restricted from onward movement, and referred to designated isolation facilities or tertiary care hospitals. Conveyances and surrounding areas will be disinfected according to standard operating procedures.
The advisory also stressed strict compliance with infection prevention and control (IPC) protocols. Screening staff must use personal protective equipment (PPE), follow hand hygiene practices, and maintain environmental sanitation. Any lapse in adherence will be treated as serious negligence. Daily reports from all points of entry will be submitted to the BHS-P system, the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC), and the National International Health Regulation Focal Point.
Nipah virus
Nipah virus, first identified in Malaysia in 1999, is primarily carried by fruit bats and, in earlier outbreaks, pigs. Transmission can occur through direct contact with infected animals or contaminated products, such as raw date palm juice. Human-to-human spread has been documented mainly through close contact with infected individuals.
The virus can cause severe illness, including fever, headaches, muscle pain, and neurological symptoms such as seizures, confusion, and coma. Severe respiratory problems may also occur. The case fatality rate ranges from 40% to 75%, depending on local healthcare capacity. Survivors can experience long-term neurological complications.
According to experts, outbreaks are usually small and contained. While Pakistan has not yet reported human cases, the National Institute of Health (NIH) has issued alerts to healthcare providers, noting the region is on high alert due to the confirmed outbreak in West Bengal. The virus has an incubation period of 9 to 14 days, making detection at entry points challenging.
Currently, there are no approved vaccines or specific treatments. Candidate vaccines are under development, including one by Oxford University scientists, which began phase II trials in Bangladesh in December 2025 with funding from the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI).
Regional precautions
Pakistan’s measures coincide with similar actions across the region. Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand, and Malaysia have implemented enhanced health screening and airport temperature checks to curb potential spread. The WHO classifies Nipah as a priority pathogen because of its epidemic potential and high fatality rate.
Experts say although fruit bats and pigs carrying the virus are not present in Pakistan, travellers can act as carriers. Human-to-human transmission occurs through respiratory droplets, saliva, or blood from infected individuals.
As the health ministry reinforces screening and surveillance, authorities continue to monitor developments in neighbouring regions. The measures remain in force until further notice, and officials have called for full compliance with all health directives.