Pakistan’s Ministry of Health on Wednesday issued a nationwide alert and advisory following reports of Nipah virus cases in India, directing strict screening and surveillance at all airports, seaports and land borders to prevent cross-border transmission.

According to the advisory, mandatory 100% screening has been ordered for all arriving and transit passengers, crew members, drivers, helpers and support staff.

Thermal screening, clinical assessment and verification of complete travel history for the past 21 days will be carried out for all travellers, regardless of nationality.

The ministry said the decision was taken “in view of the recent regional alert regarding Nipah Virus (NiV), as reported through international and regional public health surveillance mechanisms, including the WHO South-East Asia Region Epidemiological Bulletin (January 2026), which has reported suspected cases of Nipah virus infection in West Bengal, India, and considering the high case fatality rate, zoonotic nature, and potential for human-to-human transmission.”

To ensure early detection, enhanced surveillance has been ordered at all points of entry.

“No individual is allowed entry into Pakistan without health clearance by Border Health Services-Pakistan,” the advisory said.

Special monitoring has been directed for travellers arriving from or transiting through Nipah-affected or high-risk areas.

Authorities have also instructed screening staff to document and immediately report any false declarations by passengers.

“All travellers will undergo thermal screening and clinical assessment at the POE. Screening staff have been instructed to remain alert for symptoms including fever, headache, respiratory issues, and neurological signs such as confusion or drowsiness,” it stated.

The advisory said suspected cases will be immediately isolated and managed under infection prevention and control (IPC) protocols, with referrals to designated isolation facilities or tertiary care hospitals. Conveyances used by suspected cases and surrounding areas will be disinfected in line with approved standard operating procedures.

The ministry stressed strict compliance with IPC measures, including the use of personal protective equipment, hand hygiene and environmental sanitation, warning that any lapse would be treated as serious negligence.

“Daily reports from all POEs will be recorded in the BHS-P system and shared with the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) and the National IHR Focal Point. The measures will remain in force until further notice,” it said.

Health authorities confirmed that no case of Nipah virus has been detected in Pakistan so far. In India, five cases have been reported in the eastern state of West Bengal.

Meanwhile, several regional countries, including Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand and Malaysia, have also stepped up airport temperature checks and other screening measures amid concerns over the spread of the highly lethal and epidemic-prone virus.