Pakistan Launches Enhanced Nipah Virus Screening as Asian Nations Tighten Checks
Islamabad / Lahore (Reuters) — January 31, 2026: Pakistan has become the latest Asian country to impose enhanced health screening measures for travellers entering the country amid concerns over the deadly Nipah virus, after neighbouring India reported two confirmed cases in the state of West Bengal.
Key Developments:
- Pakistan introduces strict health screenings for travellers at airports, seaports, and land borders after India confirmed two Nipah virus cases.
- Several Asian countries expand airport checks, including Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Vietnam.
- World Health Organization (WHO) says the risk of spreading beyond India remains low, and does not recommend travel or trade restrictions.
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Under directives from the Ministry of National Health Services, screenings are now mandatory at all points of entry — including international airports, seaports and land border crossings. Health officials are conducting thermal checks, clinical assessments, and detailed transit history reviews for arrivals, particularly for passengers who have travelled through high-risk regions in the preceding 21 days.
This move follows similar precautions taken by other Asian countries. Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Indonesia and Vietnam have all stepped up airport health screenings and temperature checks to detect possible infection in incoming travellers.
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Health authorities say Nipah virus has a high fatality rate (40%–75%) and no approved vaccine, raising concern despite its low person-to-person spread. The virus is primarily transmitted through contact with infected animals — especially fruit bats — and certain contaminated foods, with human infection typically requiring prolonged close exposure.
However, the World Health Organization (WHO) has assessed that the risk at national, regional and global levels remains low, noting no evidence of increased transmission beyond the two confirmed cases in India, and does not currently recommend travel or trade restrictions.
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Indian health authorities also emphasise that the infections have been contained, with all identified contacts testing negative. They maintain the situation is stable and presently limited in scope.
The expanded screening across Asia and Pakistan’s heightened vigilance reflect precautionary public health responses to a virus that remains rare but potentially serious, even as experts urge focus on preparedness, research, and surveillance rather than border closures.
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