LAHORE: Pakistan has implemented mandatory health screening for incoming travellers after neighbouring India confirmed two cases of the deadly Nipah virus, officials said on Wednesday.
The Border Health Services department announced that all passengers arriving through airports, seaports and land crossings will undergo thermal checks and clinical assessment as part of strengthened preventive measures.
Authorities said travellers will also be required to provide their transit history for the previous 21 days to identify potential exposure to high-risk regions.
The move places Pakistan among several Asian nations, including Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam and Hong Kong, that have tightened entry controls amid heightened regional health vigilance.
Health officials stressed that the step is precautionary and aimed at early detection. There are currently no confirmed Nipah cases in Pakistan.
In India, health authorities reported that both infections involved medical workers. One patient is recovering, while the other remains under treatment. Indian officials said contact tracing is underway and no wider outbreak has been detected.
Vietnam has also begun screening passengers arriving from affected areas, particularly at major international airports, with temperature checks and on-arrival assessments.
Medical experts say Nipah is a rare but severe viral disease that can cause fever and brain inflammation. While human-to-human transmission is limited, the virus carries a high fatality rate and currently has no approved vaccine.
The World Health Organization lists Nipah among priority pathogens due to its epidemic potential. Regional governments say continued surveillance and border screening remain critical to preventing wider spread.
