The National Health Agency has sent a warning message to federal andprovincial health authorities. According to reports, the World HealthOrganization has stated that there is a significant risk of Nipah virustransmission in Pakistan.
However, the spread of Nipah virus cases among animals and humans inPakistan is currently low, and there have been no reported cases. Thetransmission of Nipah virus from India to Pakistan is possible, possiblythrough fruit bats in border regions. Infected fruit bats can transmit thevirus to humans through consumed fruits. People coming from other countriescan also potentially bring Nipah virus to Pakistan.
The World Health Organization mentioned in the message that Nipah virus wasfirst identified in Malaysia and Singapore in 1999 and can cause severeillness in both humans and animals. Last month, India reported 6 Nipahvirus cases and 2 deaths. Nipah virus is transmitted from infected fruitbats and wild animals to humans.
The National Health Agency expressed concerns in the message and outlinedthe symptoms. Nipah virus symptoms can persist for 5 to 14 days and includepersistent headaches, fever, difficulty breathing, nausea, vomiting, andneurological issues. Nipah virus patients can enter a coma within 48 hours.
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The World Health Organization has alerted the government of Pakistan andall provincial governments, stating that there is no antiviral treatment orvaccine available for Nipah virus. Doctors should conduct detailedexaminations of patients with fever and neurological disorders.