Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand, and Malaysia authorities also ramp up airport screening to curb spread of virus
\n Islamabad
\nPakistan has ordered strict and enhanced health surveillance at all entry points following regional alerts over the Nipah virus, a highly fatal zoonotic disease, the government said on Wednesday.
\nNipah is classified as a priority pathogen by the World Health Organisation because of its ability to spark fast\u2011moving outbreaks, its fatality rate of 40% to 75%, and the fact that there is no approved vaccine or cure.
\nThe virus, carried by fruit bats and animals such as pigs, can trigger a deadly brain-swelling fever in humans and can also spread directly from person to person through close contact. Several vaccines are in development but remain in testing.
\nIn an advisory issued by Border Health Services\u2013Pakistan under the Ministry of National Health Services, authorities cited reports of suspected Nipah virus cases in India\u2019s West Bengal state and warned of the virus\u2019s potential for cross-border transmission.
\n\u201cIn view of the recent regional alert regarding Nipah Virus (NiV)\u2026 and considering the high case fatality rate, zoonotic nature, and potential for human-to-human transmission, it has become imperative to further strengthen preventive and surveillance measures at Pakistan\u2019s borders,\u201d the advisory said.
\nThe government has directed officials to enforce \u201cstrict and enhanced health surveillance at all points of entry with immediate effect,\u201d covering international airports, seaports and land border crossings, according to the document dated January 28.
\nAll incoming passengers, transit travellers, crew members and transport staff must undergo mandatory screening, and \u201cno individual shall be allowed entry into Pakistan without health clearance by Border Health Services\u2013Pakistan,\u201d the advisory said.
\nAuthorities have also ordered verification of travellers\u2019 full travel and transit history for the previous 21 days, regardless of nationality. Officials were instructed to maintain \u201cspecial vigilance for travellers originating from, or transiting through, Nipah-affected or high-risk regions.\u201d
\nThe advisory mandates thermal screening and clinical assessment at entry points, with staff told to watch for symptoms including fever, respiratory illness and neurological signs such as confusion or altered consciousness.
\n\u201cAny individual consistent with suspected Nipah Virus case definition shall be immediately isolated at the Point of Entry, restricted from onward movement, and managed strictly in accordance with Infection Prevention and Control protocols,\u201d it said.
\nIt added that suspected cases are to be referred to designated isolation facilities or tertiary care hospitals, while aircraft, vehicles or vessels used by the patient must be disinfected under standard operating procedures.
\nThe advisory further warned that any lapse in surveillance or infection control would be treated as \u201cserious negligence\u201d and said daily case or nil reports must be shared with national authorities, including the National IHR Focal Point. The measures will remain in force \u201cuntil further orders issued by the Competent Authority,\u201d it stated.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand, and Malaysia authorities also ramp up airport screening to curb spread of virus Islamabad Pakistan has ordered strict and enhanced health surveillance at all entry points following regional alerts over the Nipah virus, a highly fatal zoonotic disease, the government said on Wednesday. Nipah is classified as a priority pathogen by […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":528192,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-528173","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-top-news"},"yoast_head":"\n