Pakistan seals borders with emergency health checks after Nipah cases emerge

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has ramped up health surveillance at all international entry points following confirmation of two Nipah virus cases in India, as several Asian countries move swiftly to prevent cross-border transmission of the deadly infection.

Health authorities ordered enhanced screening at airports, seaports and land crossings on Wednesday, citing growing regional concern over the virus, which is known for its high fatality rate and lack of an approved vaccine or treatment. Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Nepal have also strengthened monitoring of incoming travellers.

Nipah virus, which is carried by fruit bats and animals such as pigs, can cause severe fever and inflammation of the brain in humans. It may also spread through close contact between people, making it a major public health threat. The World Health Organisation has classified Nipah as a priority pathogen due to its potential to cause fast-spreading outbreaks, with death rates ranging between 40 and 75 per cent.

To coordinate preventive measures, Border Health Services-Pakistan (BHS-P), a department under the Ministry of National Health Services, issued a nationwide advisory mandating strict health protocols at all points of entry. The move follows reports of suspected and confirmed cases in India.

According to the advisory, all arriving and transit passengers, as well as airline crew and support staff, must undergo complete health screening. Entry into the country without clearance from BHS-P officials has been prohibited, and authorities have been instructed to verify the travel history of every traveller for the past 21 days, regardless of nationality.

Officials have been directed to remain particularly alert for passengers arriving from, or passing through, areas identified as high risk for Nipah transmission. Any attempt to hide or falsify travel history will be formally reported for further action.

Thermal screening and medical assessments are now compulsory, with staff told to watch for symptoms including fever, headache, breathing difficulties and neurological signs such as confusion or drowsiness. Suspected cases are to be immediately isolated and prevented from continuing their journey, while aircraft, vehicles and nearby areas must be disinfected in line with standard operating procedures. The advisory warned that lapses in surveillance or infection control would be treated as serious misconduct.

Separately, the National Institute of Health (NIH) issued its own alert, warning of the risk of viral spillover in South Asia. While no human case has been detected in Pakistan so far, the institute said the situation in the region was evolving rapidly.

 “As of January 2026, an outbreak has been confirmed in India’s West Bengal,” the NIH said, noting the virus’s high fatality rate and capacity for human-to-human transmission. It advised that treatment remains largely supportive, focusing on respiratory and neurological care, and urged the designation of specialised hospitals and strict laboratory safety measures.

Despite the heightened response, health experts in Pakistan stressed that the immediate risk to the country remains low.

Microbiologist Prof Dr Javaid Usman said Nipah outbreaks are typically linked to exposure to fruit bats or pigs and that any local cases would likely be imported rather than homegrown. He explained that symptoms often include fever and neurological complications, and that the virus can spread through respiratory droplets, saliva or blood.

Dr Mumtaz Ali Khan, head of the Centre for Disease Control at NIH, noted that this marks the 51st Nipah outbreak globally since 2001. He added that identifying infected travellers at airports is challenging due to the virus’s incubation period, which can last up to two weeks.

Infectious disease specialist Dr Rana Safdar said Nipah has been closely monitored by global health authorities since its discovery in 1998, with sporadic outbreaks reported in South and Southeast Asia, mostly in rural areas. Countries previously affected include Malaysia, Bangladesh, India, Singapore and the Philippines.

While acknowledging that infectious diseases can cross borders, Dr Safdar said the likelihood of widespread regional transmission remains moderate to low given the virus’s transmission patterns. He urged preparedness and targeted vigilance rather than panic, adding that routine airport screening alone is not sufficient to completely prevent importation.

Meanwhile, Indian authorities confirmed that the two patients in West Bengal are healthcare workers currently receiving treatment. Although the outbreak there remains limited, neighbouring countries have acted quickly. Singapore has announced temperature screening for flights from affected areas, Hong Kong has begun checks on passengers arriving from India, and Thailand has introduced health declarations and designated parking areas for aircraft from high-risk regions. China has also acknowledged the possibility of imported cases, while Nepal has placed its health system on high alert due to its open land border with India.