The National Institute of Health (NIH) sees low risk of Nipah virus outbreak in Pakistan as there is no case reported in either humans or animals. However, NIH has directed the authorities to check entry points of the country to avoid the virus spread.

What is Nipah Virus?

Nipah virus (NiV) is known as a zoonotic virus that transmits from animals to humans. Nipah also transmits through contaminated food (e.g. fruit bats) and from person to person. Fruit bats belongs to the Pteropodidae family which are host for the Nipah virus.

Read out the full detailed report of WHO (World Health Organization) about the Nipah virus here

There is no vaccine still discovered for this virus. The only way to deal with it is supportive care. NIH experts advised considering several factors that may spread Nipah in Pakistan. Like, the bat species exist in Pakistan as it may originate viruses. As well as international travel can also trigger the Nipah outbreak. Nipah cases have been reported in India, so there is a potential rise of Nipah in Pakistan.

Nipah Virus Cases

In the southern state of India, Kerala Health Minister, Veena George declared “contaminated zones” in two Kozhidoke districts and a five km radius around it. The government officials also closed the schools and offices to reduce the risk of Nipah. Six laboratory cases confirmed Nipah infected humans and two people died due to this virus.

“Between 12 and 15 September 2023, a total of six laboratory-confirmed cases of Nipah virus infection including two deaths were reported by the State Government of Kerala” https://t.co/IVJaGeZeqH

— Dr. Syra Madad (@syramadad) October 4, 2023

According to the World Health Organization, the first outbreak of Nipah was recognized in Malaysia in 1999 due to direct contact of humans with sick pigs. Later on, the cause of its spread in India and Bangladesh was due to consumption of contaminated fruits infected with fruit bats. Nipah outbreak by human-to-human transmission was also reported in India and Bangladesh.

So far, NIH sees low risk of Nipah virus outbreak in Pakistan. But it has the potential to spread in Pakistan. That is why, health experts are focusing on spreading awareness about the Nipah virus and directing authorities to take necessary steps to prevent virus entry in Pakistan from foreign lands.

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