The Federal Ministry of Health has issued an alert over the spread of the Nipah virus in India and has directed screening of passengers at airports, seaports and land borders.
According to the ministry, the Nipah virus can be transmitted from large fruit bats to humans, prompting stricter precautionary measures. Instructions have been issued to screen all passengers arriving in Pakistan as well as those in transit at airports, ports and land crossings.
The ministry said that any passenger showing suspected symptoms will be isolated immediately. It was also clarified that no confirmed case of the Nipah virus has been reported in Pakistan so far.
Moreover, the ministry added that five cases of the Nipah virus have been reported in India’s state of West Bengal. Officials said diagnostic facilities for the Nipah virus are available at the National Institute of Health.
