Pakistan has enforced strict health screening measures at all entry points after two confirmed cases of the deadly Nipah virus emerged in India’s West Bengal.
The Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination directed that no individual will be allowed to enter Pakistan without clearance from the Border Health Services (BHS).
The move follows regional alerts issued through WHO public health surveillance, citing Nipah’s high fatality rate and risk of human-to-human transmission.
Authorities have ordered enhanced surveillance at airports, seaports, and land crossings, with 100% screening of passengers, transit travellers, crew members, drivers, and support staff.
Officials will verify travel history for the past 21 days, regardless of nationality, and closely monitor travellers arriving from high-risk or Nipah-affected areas.
All entrants will undergo thermal screening and clinical assessment. Health staff will watch for symptoms including fever, headache, respiratory distress, and neurological signs.
Suspected cases will be isolated immediately and referred to designated hospitals under strict infection prevention and control (IPC) protocols.
The ministry warned that any violation of IPC measures, including PPE use and sanitation, will be treated as serious negligence.
Daily screening reports will be shared with the NCOC and National IHR Focal Point, and the measures will remain in force until further notice.
Meanwhile, countries including Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand, and Malaysia have also tightened airport screening to prevent the spread of the highly lethal Nipah virus, which currently has no approved vaccine or treatment.
