KARACHI: Infectious disease experts at Aga Khan University Hospital have reassured the public that the Nipah virus poses no immediate threat to Pakistan, despite renewed regional concern following reports from parts of South Asia.
Speaking to Pakistan TV Digital during a media roundtable earlier this week, specialists emphasized that while Nipah is a highly lethal virus, its current transmission patterns and geographical concentration make the risk to Pakistan exceptionally low.
Public anxiety has largely centered on fruit bats in Pakistan, which are known to be natural reservoirs of the virus. Addressing these concerns, Dr Nosheen Nasir, the section head of Infectious Diseases at AKUH, said the virus does not spread merely because bats are present.
“We want to clarify that simply having bats in the area does not mean an outbreak is imminent,” Dr Nasir told Pakistan TV Digital. “The virus isn’t transmitted through casual exposure, like a bat flying nearby.”
“The real risk lies in spillover events, such as consuming food or raw tree sap contaminated by an infected animal. For the average citizen, basic food hygiene is the most powerful tool we have.”
Dr Nasir added that recent Nipah clusters remain confined to eastern India and Bangladesh, with no reported cases in regions bordering Pakistan.
Preparedness over panic
Experts acknowledged the virus’s high fatality rate but stressed that Nipah is far less contagious than respiratory viruses such as COVID-19.
Dr Faisal Mahmood, professor of Infectious Diseases and associate chief medical officer at AKUH, said the focus should remain on healthcare preparedness rather than public alarm.
“Nipah is a serious infection, but it is not a current domestic emergency,” Dr Mahmood said. “Our healthcare resources are better spent addressing immediate challenges, such as the rise in measles cases. That said, vigilance is critical.”
He explained that clinicians have been advised to closely monitor patients presenting with severe fever and neurological symptoms.
“Early isolation and specialized protocols are already mapped out to prevent any potential spread,” he noted, describing this as a key part of managing the patient journey.
The roundtable also highlighted Pakistan’s ongoing screening of travelers at international entry points as an important preventive measure.
Drawing on lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic, the experts underscored that long-term health security depends on early coordination, clinician awareness, and informed communities.
The medical community’s message to the public remains clear: maintain high standards of food hygiene, avoid consuming raw date palm sap, and rely on verified medical guidance rather than unverified information circulating on social media.
