Leading infectious disease specialists have allayed fears over a potential Nipah virus (NiV) outbreak in Pakistan, stating that recent cases in Eastern India and Bangladesh pose no immediate threat to the country, despite the virus’s serious nature.
At a media roundtable on Wednesday, experts from the Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH) confirmed that geographical factors and known transmission patterns currently keep the risk to Pakistan low, but noted the situation serves as an important moment to assess national pandemic preparedness.
‘The risk of international spread is considered low,’ stated Dr Faisal Mahmood, Professor of Infectious Diseases at AKUH. ‘While Nipah is a serious infection, it is not an immediate concern for Pakistan at this time. Our healthcare focus remains on addressing pressing domestic challenges, including the current rise in measles cases.’
The specialists shared that since 2025, only 10 cases of the Nipah virus have been recorded globally. Of these, just two involved human-to-human transmission, which remains an exceptionally rare event.
Experts clarified that the primary transmission route is zoonotic, occurring through direct contact with infected bats or the consumption of food contaminated by them, such as raw tree sap. The virus is not transmitted through casual exposure to bats flying in the vicinity.
‘Geographically, the recent cases are concentrated in West Bengal and Kerala in India, as well as in Bangladesh,’ said Dr Nosheen Nasir, Section Head of Infectious Diseases at AKUH. ‘Importantly, no cases have been reported from western regions of India that border Pakistan.’
However, Dr Nasir advised that continued clinical vigilance is essential because the virus’s early symptoms, including fever and headache, can resemble influenza before potentially progressing to severe brain inflammation.
The panel acknowledged the government”s proactive screening of travellers at international entry points as a positive step. Drawing on lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic nearly six years ago, the physicians emphasised that strong health resilience is built through early preparation, effective coordination, and sustained public awareness rather than reactive measures alone.