KARACHI: Following the spread of the Nipah virus in India, the Sindh Health Department has issued an advisory, urging vigilance and precautionary measures across the province.
According to the advisory, the Nipah virus can be transmitted from animals to humans as well as through human-to-human contact. Health authorities clarified that no case of the Nipah virus has been reported in Pakistan so far.
The advisory states that early symptoms of the virus include fever, headache, cough, body aches, and vomiting. The Sindh Health Department said the situation is being closely monitored and that all public and private hospitals have been placed on alert. Hospitals have been directed to strictly follow the guidelines issued by the Federal Ministry of Health.
Meanwhile, the Federal Ministry of Health has also issued an alert regarding the potential spread of the Nipah virus. According to the ministry, the virus can be transmitted to humans from large fruit bats, prompting authorities to tighten preventive measures.
The ministry has instructed that screening of arriving and transit passengers be ensured at airports, seaports, and land borders. In case of suspected symptoms, passengers will be immediately isolated. Officials reiterated that no confirmed case of the Nipah virus has been detected in Pakistan to date.
The Ministry of Health further reported that five Nipah virus cases had been confirmed in the Indian state of West Bengal. It added that diagnostic facilities for the Nipah virus are available at the National Institute of Health (NIH).
