Karachi, Pakistan – Public health and infectious disease experts from the Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH) have assessed the current risk of the Nipah virus to Pakistan and concluded there is no immediate threat of an outbreak in the country.
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Speaking at a media roundtable with journalists, AKUH specialists noted that since 2025 only ten cases of Nipah virus have been reported globally, with just two involving human-to-human transmission, which remains an exceptionally rare occurrence.
“The risk of international spread is considered low,” said Dr Faisal Mahmood, Professor of Infectious Diseases and Associate Chief Medical Officer at AKUH. He added that while Nipah virus is a serious infection, it does not present an immediate concern for Pakistan at this time, and healthcare priorities remain focused on pressing domestic challenges, including the current rise in measles cases.
Experts explained that Nipah virus is primarily transmitted through zoonotic exposure, including direct contact with infected bats or consumption of food contaminated by them, such as raw tree sap or partially eaten fruit. They clarified that casual exposure, such as bats flying nearby, does not result in transmission.
“Geographically, recent cases are concentrated in West Bengal and Kerala in India, as well as in Bangladesh,” said Dr Nosheen Nasir, Section Head of Infectious Diseases at AKUH. She pointed out that no cases have been reported from western regions of India bordering Pakistan, but cautioned that early symptoms such as fever and headache may resemble influenza and can progress to severe brain inflammation, making early recognition critical.
The experts acknowledged government-led screening of travellers at international entry points as a positive preventive measure and stressed that lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic highlight the importance of early preparedness, coordinated health systems, and sustained public awareness rather than reactive containment alone.
They concluded that strengthening healthcare readiness and surveillance mechanisms will enhance Pakistan’s capacity to respond effectively to future public health threats, ensuring greater public safety and confidence.
This assessment is based on the virus’s epidemiology, its known transmission patterns, and the current absence of confirmed cases or epidemiological links within Pakistan’s borders.
Key Advisory for Healthcare Professionals:
Despite the low risk, experts strongly advise the country’s medical community to maintain a high index of clinical suspicion and continue standard vigilance. This includes:
- Recognizing Symptoms: Being alert to patients presenting with acute encephalitis (brain inflammation), severe respiratory distress, and fever, especially in individuals with a relevant travel history to regions where Nipah virus is endemic.
- Adhering to Infection Protocols: Strictly following standard infection prevention and control (IPC) measures, including the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) when dealing with patients showing severe respiratory or neurological symptoms of unknown origin.
- Sample Handling and Reporting: Ensuring proper procedures for safe sample collection, handling, and transportation for diagnostic testing, and immediate reporting of any suspected cases to provincial and national health authorities.
About the Nipah Virus:
Nipah virus is a zoonotic pathogen (transmitted from animals to humans) that can cause severe illness in humans, with high mortality rates. It is primarily spread through contact with infected bats or pigs, or through close contact with an infected person’s bodily fluids. There is currently no specific antiviral treatment or vaccine approved for humans.
The advisory underscores the importance of proactive surveillance and preparedness within Pakistan’s healthcare system to rapidly detect and contain any potential imported case, thereby preventing local transmission. The public is advised to follow official health communications and avoid spreading unverified information.
