Lahore: A new threat of a dangerous virus, possibly transmitted from ratsand pigs to humans, is emerging in Punjab, including Lahore. The PunjabHealth Department has issued a high alert to all district healthauthorities regarding the potential risks and spread of the Nipah virus.
According to the Health Department’s communication, Nipah has beenclassified as a dangerous virus, with a reported mortality rate of 74%among affected individuals. The Nipah virus is rapidly spreading inneighboring countries, and there is concern that it could also betransmitted in Pakistan.
The communication states that immediate precautionary measures should beimplemented across all districts of Punjab. Data of all suspected Nipahpatients should be uploaded promptly to the dashboard. Guidelines fordealing with this virus should be provided in both private and governmenthospitals.
According to the communication, patients should be isolated based on careand suspicion. Timely and confirmed diagnosis should be ensured, withsamples sent to the PCR laboratory. This virus can spread quickly fromanimals to humans and from one person to another.
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According to the communication, there is no vaccine for this dangerousvirus, so timely diagnosis and treatment are the only means of prevention.Initial research suggests that the virus was found in various animals,including rats and pigs, and was transmitted to humans. It can also betransmitted from one person to another.
As per the Health Department’s communication, eating fruits from treesinfested with bats and then consuming those fruits later can lead totransmission, so all citizens are advised to wash fruits thoroughly.