National Institute of Health gets 100 Nipah virus testing kits

The National Institute of Health (NIH) has acquired 100 testing kits for the detection of the Nipah virus.

A meeting on the Nipah virus, chaired by Health Secretary Hamid Yaqoob, was informed that the NIH has obtained 100 testing kits. It was decided that samples of suspected Nipah patients will be sent to the NIH for confirmation.

Officials said that the Sindh Health Department has also issued a Nipah virus alert, while 100 per cent screening of passengers is being carried out at all land and air entry points across Pakistan.

They stated that passengers’ travel history for the past 21 days is being checked, and high-risk travellers are being closely monitored. During screening, special attention is being given to symptoms such as fever, respiratory issues and neurological signs.

Any suspected individual will be immediately isolated and shifted to an isolation unit.

The officials added that provinces have been instructed to designate hospitals for Nipah virus cases and ensure the availability of trained medical staff.

The National Institute of Health confirmed that there is currently no confirmed case of the Nipah virus in Pakistan.